Regulating Cattle Emissions and Conspiracy Theories

OK. I’ve finally had enough of the ludicrous idea that the way to control greenhouse gases is to regulate emissions by livestock. I suspect it is really a plan to destroy the livestock industry by those who think we should all become Vegans. Or, maybe it is something even more sinister.


The carbon cycle is relatively simple to describe although its actions are complex. Living things are carbon-based. This includes plants and animals. Plants take carbon-dioxide out of the atmosphere, trap the carbon into their tissue in the form of various molecules such as sugars and then release Oxygen. Animals eat plants (or other animals) and through the process of digestion, break down the complex molecules (such as sugars) from the plant material and utilize the released energy to fuel their existence. In the process of digestion, some of the carbon is released back into the atmosphere as various gases and carbon dioxide is released through respiration. This process cycles the carbon in a somewhat continuous loop. Plants also release carbon when they die. The process of decomposition releases carbon into the atmosphere.

This carbon cycle has continued since the beginning of life on this planet. At one time in pre-history, there was significantly more carbon floating around in the atmosphere which fueled riotous growth of plants. Many of those plants were then trapped in sediment and over time changed to oil, gas and coal or were bound into limestone and other sedimentary rocks.

Until we began releasing the carbon that was “sequestered” in the form of oil, gas and coal, carbon wasn’t a problem. It was cycled through plants and animals just as it is today. It was this release from the utilization of fossil fuels of huge amounts of carbon back into the carbon cycle that created what some scientists today are claiming to be a cataclysmic problem for life on earth. In other words – it isn’t the cattle that are causing “climate change,” it is the burning of fossil fuels that released huge amounts of trapped carbon into the atmosphere that is causing the increase of atmospheric greenhouse gases.

So, why do our government and the governments of other nations throughout the world think the solution lies in regulating gas produced by cattle? Here is one possibility – it is part of the plan to control the world food supply. In the U.S. most crops are subsidized through various support payments. Livestock production is not. Placing regulations on the livestock producers under the guise of controlling greenhouse gas emissions makes sense only in the context of attempting to gain control of one of the few lightly regulated industries left.

It fits into what could be construed as a plan to force a one-world government. The way I see it, if one wanted to control the world you would begin with a series of induced crises. The crises would be designed to gain control of some key things – banking, energy and food. Hmmmm…..we recently saw manipulation of the first two of these items. That leaves food. I wonder what’s really going on behind the scenes in Copenhagen……

Bovine Genome Sequencing News

This is important in developing new ways to combat disease in cattle and to continue improvements to food safety.

Bovine genome sequencing provides clues to possible new developments

Reproductive Issues Impact Bottom Line of Dairies

Reproductive efficiency and health are critical to profitability in all livestock operations but critically so to dairies. One contibutor to both reproductive and health issues is the presence of cattle persistently infected with BVD. Eliminating those animals from the herd can have very positive results for the bottom line.

Reproductive inefficiency eats at dairy producers' wallets

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Now that many producers are unable to utilize rBST, maximizing the dairy operation's reproductive efficiency is more critical than ever, said a Purdue University expert.

Allen Bridges, expert in reproductive management, said with the loss of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) - which increased milk production by 10 percent to 15 percent, and, in some cases, was demonstrated to...(complete article here).

Ethanol Secrets of the Bovine

This one is common sense. Cattle have been utilizing roughage since they were created.

Secret for efficient ethanol in cows' stomachs?
Professor: Enzyme that helps digestion could be the key
(complete article here)

New Markets Grant Full Access to U.S. Beef

This is good news for the beef cattle industry.

COSTA RICA, BELIZE, QATAR AND GHANA JOIN NATIONS FOR FULL MARKET ACCESS OF U.S. BEEF

Ethanol Battle Not Over

Livestock producers are suffering from high feed prices. Soon, we will likely see a reduction in numbers in our livestock herd which will translate ultimately to higher protein prices for consumers.

This issue is not just domestic in nature. U.S. corn prices have an impact on the world market. Most other countries that use our corn do so for human consumption. In places like Africa, the effect of high U.S. corn prices is a contributor to famine conditions.


Ethanol battle unlikely to fade

Livestock, food industries discuss intensifying push to change law

By BRETT CLANTON
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Aug. 8, 2008, 10:08PM

Efforts to cut or freeze U.S. corn ethanol requirements are unlikely to end with the federal government's denial Thursday of Texas Gov. Rick Perry's plea to waive half of this year's mandate.

Livestock and food industry groups that backed the request already are talking about increased lobbying efforts in Washington to change the law.

Legislation under discussion in the Senate could...(complete article here).

Neosporosis Vaccine Shows Promise for Cattle

Neosporosis is a disease that is commonly found in cattle, yet rarely understood by producers. The economic losses to the industry from this parasitic disease are significant.

Test Vaccines Show Promise against Parasite of Cattle

By Ann Perry
July 29, 2008

An effective vaccine against a parasite-borne disease called neosporosis may be a few steps closer to development, thanks to Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists and cooperators.
Neosporosis, caused by the parasite Neospora caninum, affects...(complete article here).

CRP Decision and Consequences

My business is dependent on cattle production. The industry needed the release of CRP for grazing due to the extremely high feed costs caused by corn-based ethanol production. My experience tells me though, that this decision may not be the best for wildlife in some areas. I would have preferred for the authorization to allow that haying and grazing be limited to no more than 80% of each tract of CRP. The remaining 20% would preferably have been in strips or possibly on the most sensitive portions of a tract for wildlife. This would allow a reservoir of untouched grass for wildlife cover. I fear that many tracts will be overgrazed.

U.S. judge allows haying and grazing on CRP land

By Christopher Doering

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. farmers and ranchers who have already been approved can participate in a government program allowing haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve land, a federal judge in Seattle said on Thursday.

In the decision, U.S. District Judge John Coughenour also ruled the...(complete article here).

No Beef Exports to Korea Yet....

The "fear-mongers" strike again.


US, South Korean officials end beef talks

By FOSTER KLUG
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The top U.S. and South Korean trade envoys broke off talks Sunday without resolving a crisis over the resumption of American beef shipments that has shaken South Korea's pro-U.S. government.

South Korean Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon, who flew into Washington on Friday for discussions, was returning home, U.S. Trade Representative spokeswoman Gretchen Hamel said.

Kim and Susan Schwab, the U.S. trade envoy, held "frank and candid discussions" Friday and Saturday, Hamel said, but, "in order to...(complete article here).

Garmin for Cows??

Can't you just see a bunch of cows walking around the pasture with headsets on? Think of what they might hear....

"Turn left at the first prickly pear cactus and proceed 223 paces to the first Hackberry tree on your right. Turn at a 45 degree angle to the right and proceed...."

A Futuristic Linkage of Animals and Electronics

By Don Comis
June 6, 2008

The same Global Positioning System (GPS) technology used to track vehicles is now being used to track cows.

But Agricultural Research Service (ARS) animal scientist Dean M. Anderson has taken tracking several steps further with a Walkman-like headset that enables him to "whisper" wireless commands to cows to...(complete news release here).

ISU Ethanol Policy Impact Model

From Iowa State: A new model for estimating impacts of various Federal policies.

Short-Run Price and Welfare Impacts of Federal Ethanol Policies

U.S. Senator Cornyn on Ethanol

U.S. Senator John Cornyn has graciously provided the guest posting below.

Hello Panhandle Poet readers…it’s a privilege to guest post here.

I wanted to touch base with you regarding an issue which is very pressing in the Panhandle, ethanol.

When first introduced to the marketplace, it was hoped that ethanol would help revitalize rural America, lower the price we pay at the pump and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

That’s a worthy goal, yet the government’s focus on ethanol has produced a problem. There have been unintended adverse consequences to our economy from the focus on ethanol production. Chiefly, since February of 2006 the combined price of corn, wheat and soybeans has increased more than 416 percent.

For this reason and many more, I co-sponsored legislation which was introduced recently to freeze the renewable fuel standard corn-based ethanol mandate at current 2008 levels.

In the panhandle, like other places, the effect of ethanol production has been mixed. While a few have benefitted from it, a great many others have suffered.

As more and more farmers grow corn for ethanol production, cattle feeding ration prices have shot sky high. Mandates, along with the high cost of fuel, are squeezing every bit of profit out of cattle feedlots today.

As consumers continue to see rising food and fuel prices, freezing the corn-based ethanol mandate will allow us to re-evaluate the consequences of using food for fuel and determine the best way forward. Texas will remain a leader as we work to diversify our nation’s energy supply to include alternative and renewable sources, but in the meantime Congress must exercise its oversight role to ensure there are no further unintended consequences. A freeze of the mandate will allow time for necessary assessments and reduce increasing grocery, grain and feed prices.

Last year, the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) provided the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to waive the mandates, or adjust them as necessary to provide relief for consumers.

Last month, I joined Sen. Hutchison and others in sending a letter to EPA Administrator requesting an update on the pending rule-making process for the waiver of all or portions of the ethanol mandate passed by Congress in 2007. The letter also urged the EPA to consider the sharp rise in food prices as they review the mandate.

Freezing the mandate at its current level for one year is not a long term solution, but it is a good start towards finding one.

My heartfelt thanks go to the Senator for addressing this issue and for providing this post.

Also posted on:

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Beef or Fuel?

The message is finally reaching beyond beef producers that making ethanol from corn is not the best solution to our energy issues.

Dueling demands for corn

Cattle feeders say the growing need for it in ethanol is driving up the price and threatening their livelihood

By BRETT CLANTON
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

TULIA — Ask John Van Pelt his thoughts on ethanol, and he's likely to pull out his adding machine and let the numbers speak for themselves.

Van Pelt, the manager of a cattle feedlot in this town 50 miles south of Amarillo, is now paying $215 a ton for cattle feed — double what he spent just three years ago. With 20,000 cattle in his yard, that works out to about $25,000 per day, just in feed, and what could become several million dollars in added costs this year.

Van Pelt blames...(complete article here).

A Look At Longhorns

From the Canyon News.

A look at longhorns

I have been re-reading “The Longhorns” by J. Frank Dobie. Being something of a history buff, especially history that relates to Texas and even more particularly, that relates to the Panhandle region, I have really enjoyed getting reacquainted with this classic work.

When we look at the cattle that cover the plains today, what we see is a...(complete article here).

This post also on Panhandle Poetry and Other Thoughts.

Argentine Beef Genes To China

Better beef for China.

Argentine firm to export bovine genetics to China

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentina, a country famous for its steaks, will start exporting bovine genetics this year to China, which is trying to improve its meat production as consumption surges.

The world's second-largest beef producer, China produced...(complete article here).

Where Is The Beef?

Cattle producers are facing a wild-and-crazy ride over the coming months. This year promises to be even more unpredictable than the last few.

A number of factors will significantly impact cattlemen and livestock markets. One of the big ones is that it is an election year. The different political parties have different approaches to how best to manage the economy. They each have different priorities on how our tax dollars are spent. They each have different attitudes toward the role of government (although those differences are not as distinguishable as they once were). The projected and final outcome of first, the primaries, and then the general election, will add volatility to markets that are already bouncing all over the spectrum. It would be nice to have a crystal ball.

Ethanol will continue to be a major factor influencing beef production. The immediate impact is at the feedlot where cost-of-gain is heavily influenced by corn prices. That impact ripples back through the supply chain to impact feeder cattle prices, stocker cattle prices and ultimately cow prices.

Commodity prices, which are currently being driven to a large extent by ethanol, also affect land use allocation on farming operations. Some lands that have traditionally been used for grazing are being shifted to crop production. Crops that are usually grazed, such as wheat in the southern plains states, are now being held back from grazing because the value of the grain production outweighs the value of leasing the crop to pasture cattle. Recent reports indicate that cattle on wheat pasture this winter were over one million head fewer than last year. Part of that was due to drought conditions, but part of it is due to the desire of the farmers to harvest the wheat for grain because of extremely favorable prices.

We still don’t have a Farm Bill. The uncertainty stemming from the lack of a Farm Bill impacts both commodity and livestock prices. We don’t know what payment caps may be placed on direct payments. We don’t know what taxes may be added. We don’t know how much emphasis will be placed on conservation and energy measures. In short, we really don’t know anything until a bill is passed. This may be the single biggest factor for determining markets over the coming year.

What will happen in the export markets? We have dealt with the BSE crisis and with bone fragments in exported beef. We have been negotiating for years with some countries over easing import restrictions. There appears to be some progress, but the outcome is uncertain at best. The level of exports has a tremendous impact on the price of beef.

Drought in some key beef production areas has impacted calf production. The Southeastern U.S. is one of the most important cow/calf areas of the country. A large portion of their cow herd has been liquidated due to drought conditions the last couple of years.

Other trends that are impacting cattle numbers include things like urban sprawl. Many cities and suburbs have expanded into areas that were once prime cattle producing ranches. Central Texas and the Dallas-Fort Worth areas have become covered with housing developments where cattle once grazed. Hunting and other recreational uses have also removed many ranches from production. Often, hunting leases are tied to exclusive use rights – in other words, no cattle grazing in conjunction with the hunting lease. National forest and BLM lands are also under increasing pressure from environmentalists to reduce grazing. Droughts in western states have further reduced the carrying capacity of much of the federally managed lands.

For the beef producer, there may be some glimmer of hope. Reduced cattle inventories will eventually lead to improved prices for those who remain in business – especially if export markets are re-opened. Increased beef prices will help to offset the negative impact of higher feed prices. Higher feed prices will lend toward a shorter feeding period which may contribute to a shortening of the marketing cycle. This should translate into smaller carcasses and an overall reduction in beef production which will further increase beef prices.

For the consumer it looks like higher beef prices are definitely in the future.

Criollo Cattle to New Mexico

Genetic diversity is important.

Old cattle breed offers modern solutions


By SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN, Associated Press Writer
Wed Jan 23, 7:38 AM ET

JORNADA EXPERIMENTAL RANGE, N.M. - Ed Fredrickson is watching every move his cattle make by checking GPS units on their collars and using satellite imagery to see what plants they're eating.

The rangeland scientist wants to know if the herd — a variety of ancient criollo cattle he hand-picked from Mexico — has what it takes to thrive in the harsh, dry conditions of the West.

"It's going to get harder," he said. "How do we help these ranchers stay viable?"

Fredrickson hopes criollo cattle, which...(complete article here).

USDA's Chuck Conner on 2008 Outlook

The market works if we let it.

USDA's Conner: Crop supplies "dicey" in 2008

By Charles Abbott

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. farmers will win the race to grow enough corn, wheat and soybeans to satisfy food, feed and biofuel needs although 2008 will be "very dicey," said acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner on Thursday.

"I would never bet against our farmers on this issue," Conner said in looking ahead to 2008 crops. For the second year in a row, zooming demand for U.S. crops will require...(complete article here).

Cattle feeders are facing a tough year in 2008. Because of the limited fall and winter grazing, calves went to the feed lots earlier and lighter than normal. It will create a wall of beef going to the packer next summer and a hole in feeder cattle supplies. The market will go crazy.

New Energy Law to Raise Meat Prices

Everywhere you look for the last few days there are articles about the new energy bill. Thankfully, some of the worst pieces of the legislation as originally proposed didn't make it to the President's desk. One piece of this bill that really bothers me is the focus on biofuels. Even a switch to cellulosic ethanol production is potentially devastating to the cattle feeding industry. Cattle are wonderful digesters of cellulose. That's what the rumen does. It is why a cow can live on grass. The corn kernel based ethanol production fortunately leaves co-products that are usable as cattle feed. They are usable because cattle can take the cellulose that is left in these co-products and convert it to beef.

If you have an ethanol plant utilizing corn kernels for ethanol production and suddenly in your hands is a way to convert the remaining co-product to ethanol, what are you going to do? Convert the co-products to ethanol. What will remain? Not much -- certainly nothing with any feed value. Cattle feeding will have little or no source of a good starch-based commodity for feed. The ethanol plants will consume virtually the entire corn crop.

Oh, by the way -- the U.S. consumer doesn't like to see yellow fat on their beef. Grass-fed beef takes longer to produce, has yellow fat, and a very different taste than what the average family desires. Look for meat prices to go through the roof.

U.S. energy law drives alternative to corn ethanol

By Timothy Gardner - Analysis

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. energy bill signed into law by President George W. Bush on Wednesday should drive a billion-dollar domestic business for a low-emissions domestic ethanol made from sources other than corn -- though it could take nearly a decade to go from the lab into car tanks.

The bill calls for...(complete article here).

Hypothermia in Cattle

When we see cattle grazing lush wheat pastures in the fall and winter months, we typically don’t think about the effects of cold or wet weather on those cattle. They usually have a nice thick coat of hair that protects them from the elements. What we often fail to realize is that certain weather conditions or other factors can mean that luxuriant coat is inadequate to keep the animals from suffering hypothermia.

Hypothermia is defined as the lowering of body core temperature below normal values. A cow typically will have an internal body temperature as measured rectally of approximately 101° F. Mild hypothermia occurs when the body temperature is in the range of 86°-89° F. Moderate hypothermia occurs at 71°-85° and profound hypothermia under 50°. At a rectal temperature below 82° the bovine can no longer return to normal temperature without external heat and warmed fluid therapy.

The environmental temperature at which a cow will begin to experience hypothermia varies with length of hair coat, wind speed, moisture and body condition. When hypothermia occurs, the animal’s internal processes begin to slow. Blood is shunted away from the extremities in an effort to protect vital organs and frostbite of the teats and ear tips will occur. As the body temperature continues to lower, respiration and heart rate slow and blood pressure drops. Eventually the animal will lose consciousness and death will occur.

One of the worst conditions for cattle to endure is temperatures hovering slightly above freezing with a cold rain falling. The rain often soaks through the hair coat to the skin and begins to draw heat from the animal’s body. If this condition is accompanied by strong winds, the chilling effect is increased and the animal may suffer hypothermia in a very short period of time. Any time the forecast calls for wet, rainy, windy conditions, steps should be taken to provide at least some form of break from the wind. This can be accomplished by lining round bales of hay or attaching plywood to portable fence panels if better shelter is unavailable.

Light-weight cattle shipped from warmer areas often have a shorter hair coat than native or northern cattle. They also will typically have little if any fat that would act as an insulating factor in inclement weather. These light-weight stockers also may be undergoing the stress of disease exposure, long shipping distances, recent weaning, or other factors that challenge the body and require energy to overcome. When extreme cold stress is added to those factors, they become at high-risk for hypothermia.

Newborn calves also are at high risk for hypothermia. They are born with a wet hair coat which is often fairly short. If they are born in cold or wet conditions, care should be taken to provide shelter for them. Many calves born under extreme conditions lose body heat quickly and never gain enough strength to stand and nurse. If cows are calving during extreme conditions, they should be monitored closely or moved to shelter prior to calving. Preparation should be made to have warming blankets, heat lamps and clean, dry bedding in a sheltered place available to warm hypothermic calves should they be born in such conditions.

Prolonged wet, cold conditions will take a toll on all types of cattle. The body must fight to maintain sufficient core temperature to sustain itself during such conditions. It is critical that adequate feed and drinkable water be supplied. Typically feed intake will be elevated prior to onset of a storm and then somewhat depressed during the inclement weather. This suppressed appetite means that the quality of available feed must be high in order for the animal to get the greatest amount of nutrition possible during such conditions.

To minimize death loss in cattle due to hypothermia, shelter from rain and wind, adequate high-quality feed, and sufficient drinkable water are critical. If cattle become hypothermic, steps may be necessary to raise their core body temperature through therapy such as warmed fluids and moving the animal to a heated shelter. The best plan is to make preparations prior to such conditions rather than providing emergency treatment afterwards. Always seek the advice of a qualified veterinarian on any questions of animal health.