Loose Ends

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The Texas Cattle Feeders Association reports that the Chicago Mercantile Exchange plans to file for regulatory approval to trade stocker cattle futures and options. The proposed contracts specify 25,000 pounds of 500 to 599 pound medium frame No. 1 feeder steers, and medium and large frame No. 1 feeder steers. Stocker cattle futures and options will be cash settled to the CME Stocker Cattle index, a seven-day weighted average of USDA prices.

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The Independent Cattlemen’s Association of Texas elected new leaders during the organization’s recent annual convention. ICA officers for 1998-99 are: John Brown, Luling, president; Chuck Kiker, Beaumont, first vice president; W.T. "Tommy" Guerra, Roma, second vice president; Peanut Gilfillian, Stowell, state secretary; Joe Conti, Victoria, state treasurer.

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Despite a pessimistic Japanese economy and yen-dollar exchange rate, U.S. beef sales to Japan are up 35 percent from January through May. Imports of U.S. red meat products are proving impervious to Japan’s recession, and with a 53 percent share of the Japanese beef import market(compared with 47 percent for Australia) the U.S. is now Japan’s No. 1 beef supplier. That said, Phil Seng, president and CEO of the U.S. Meat Export Federation, told the Texas Cattle Feeders Association that the future for U.S. beef in Japan rests on taste, safety and trust.

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New Mexico State University researchers have compiled a field guide to common locoweeds. Poisonous locoweed species are among the most toxic plants to livestock, causing millions of dollars in losses every year in the West. Locoweed tempts livestock as one of the first green plants on the range in the spring and one of the last to fade in late fall or winter.

The field guide has photos, drawings, descriptions, maps and even a computer program to help users identify nontoxic and toxic locoweeds and prevent livestock poisoning. A Guide to the Common Locoweeds and Milkvetches of New Mexico is available for $15 by calling the New Mexico State University bulletin office at (505)646-3228.

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The Texas Cattle Feeders newsletter reports that the Canadian government has adopted new rules, effective Oct. 1, to streamline import and inspection requirements for U.S. feeder cattle shipments to Canada. The Northwest Pilot Project was implemented last October, but Canadian requirements made it unworkable. Montana and Washington are the only states currently participating in the program that allows U.S. cattlemen to ship calves to Canadian feedyards.

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A second West Texas Grounds Maintenance Conference and Trade Show has been set for September 10th at the Angelo State University Ballroom in San Angelo. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with the program starting at 8 a.m.

Topics to be discussed include turfgrass nutrition management, healthy turf with water management, landscaping with perennials, fire ant management, tree and pest stress management, and weed control.

Registration by September 8 is $15 per person and $30 at the door. More information is available from Tom Green County Extension horticulturalist John Begnaud at (915)659-6528.

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Texas Cattle Feeders Newsletter reports that Tyson Foods Inc., has received the go-ahead to render 11.5 million pounds of ground beef into animal feed. The beef has been in storage since last year’s Hudson Foods recall. Tyson Foods acquired Hudson after the company went out of business because of the food safety scare. About 90 percent of the beef is individually wrapped four-ounce patties, which will be unwrapped by hand while USDA inspectors watch. The meat will be rendered and the protein extracted.

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The Texas Agricultural Extension Service offices in Sterling, Coke and Irion counties are hosting a "Basic Home Landscaping School" September 14-15 in the Sterling City Community Center. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. and the school runs from 7 to 9 p.m. both nights.

Enrollment is $15 per person or couple. The fee covers educational materials including textbooks, handouts and supplies. The pre-enrollment deadline is August 28 due to limited space.

Further information is available from the local county Extension office in either of the three counties.

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