Loose Ends

Sign-up for the federal Livestock Assistance Program began last week at local Farm Service Agency offices. The program is intended to provide livestock feed assistance to offset grazing losses from drouth and other disasters, and is funded to the tune of $200 million.

To be eligible, a producer must have suffered a 40 percent or greater loss of normal grazing production for 90 or more consecutive days during 1998. Sign-up ends Jan. 9, 1999, and payments will be issued in late January.

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A recent survey by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association has found that almost eight out of 10 consumers support country-of-origin labeling for imported beef.

Conducted by Wirthlin Worldwide, the survey asked respondents to agree or disagree with the statement that labels should be required so consumers can choose whether to buy American or imported meat. Forty-six percent of those surveyed said the statement reflected their own views "exactly," and another 32 percent said they agreed "somewhat."

A federal bill to require mandatory country-of-origin meat labeling failed in the closing days of the last Congress, but a watered-down version passed; it provides a six-month pilot study to evaluate the costs and benefits of such labeling. Results of the study are due in mid-April.

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USDA last week announced the purchase of 144,000 pounds of frozen lamb roasts for about $488,000. It was the fourth segment of an $8 million lamb purchase program first announced May 18, the first federal lamb purchase since 1986.

The American-grown lamb will be packaged with information cards on nutrition and cooking methods and distributed through federal food assistance programs.

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Texas A&M's Real Estate Center has revised The Texas Deer Lease, a publication providing information on various Texas hunting lease issues. The revision updates a number of specific areas, including the 1997 changes to "no trespass" notification. The publication is available for $4 from the TAMU Real Estate Center at (800) 244-2144.

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The Texas Cattlewomen's organization is offering "Beef Gift Certificates," cashier's checks redeemable at local grocery stores and restaurants that sell beef. The certificates, intended to promote the purchase of beef, can be purchased in any amount beginning at $5.

Further information is available from Dianne Buckingham of the Texas Cattlewomen at (806) 256-3887, or from the group's website at www.texascattlewomen.org.

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A new beef advertising campaign to begin in January brings back the "Beef. It's What's For Dinner" tagline. The $10 million project features the rough-hewn voice of actor Sam Elliot, and will focus on a new trend of fully cooked dishes, mostly from the "end cuts" of chuck and round.

Though the source of many traditional mealtime favorites such as pot roasts, those two cuts have been a drag on the beef market in recent years because of a consumer shift to last-minute meal preparation. The introduction of microwaveable, ready-to-heat entrees is intended to capitalize on the demand for convenience foods and add value to quality beef cuts that today are most often relegated to the grinder.

The new ad campaign will be concentrated in two "bursts" of frequent airings and mass-market publications in late January through early February and in April.

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New directors for the Texas Sheep and Goat Predator Management Board will be Eugene Vinson of Reagan County for District 1; Jim Davis of Menard County, District 2; and Dan Crenwelge of Gillespie County, District 3. The three, to serve six-year terms, were elected during balloting that ended Oct. 29. Votes were canvassed Nov. 12 and released last week.

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Pesticide applicators can earn five Continuing Education Units during a pesticide recertification training session set for Dec. 15 at Eden's Multipurpose Center. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the program runs from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

One hour of credit will be given in laws and regulations and three hours each in drift minimization and integrated pest management.

Registration is $10 per person and includes the cost of a noon meal. Seating is limited to 120, and those interested in attending are asked to respond by Dec. 11 to the Extension offices in Concho, McCulloch or Menard counties.

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For the 32nd consecutive year, the National FFA Foundation set a record level of support for FFA and agricultural education programs. At the 71st National FFA Convention, 1998 FFA Foundation Sponsors' Board Chairman Charles Fischer announced that the Foundation had raised a total of $7,201,000 in 1998 to support annual projects and programs for FFA and agricultural education — an all-time record.

Since 1944, the National FFA Foundation has provided more than $87 million to FFA members for awards, scholarships and achievement programs.

FFA is a national organization of 447,880 members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture. Local, state and national programs provide opportunities for students to apply knowledge and skills learned in the classroom.