News Update, Dec. 21, 2007

Daily News Update, Dec. 21, 2007

USDA takes another step towards advancing animal disease traceability
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its draft of a Business Plan for Advancing Animal Disease Traceability on Dec. 19. The business plan supports the 48-hour traceback long-term goal of the National Animal Identification System as well as provides benchmarks to guide the program as it moves towards optimum traceability. more

Texas ag exports, economic gains revealed in CAFTA study
The 2006 economic impact of Texas agricultural exports from the Central American Free Trade Agreement-Dominican Republic has led to more than 2,400 jobs and $185 million in business activity, according to a new study. more

Checkoff continues Hispanic outreach
Texas Beef Council is extending Spanish-language and bilingual beef information through numerous avenues such as a quarterly cooking newsletter, direct consumer outreach at Hispanic events, television cooking segments and print publication placements. more

Texas Cooperative Extension expands fire ant fight to Red River County
Red imported fire ants had no natural enemy in Red River County until this fall when phorid flies were released in the area to help combat the infamous pests. Texas Cooperative Extension experts said they hope a population of the phorid flies will establish themselves by spring in a pasture near Clarksville, where the flies are likely to flourish and stalk fire ants. more

Happy Holidays! The Daily News Update will return Jan. 2, 2008.

Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns, 12-21-07
Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns is a weekly report from Washington, D.C. giving an up-to-date summary of top policy initiatives concerning the cattle industry.
          Farm bill update
          Appropriations bill
          President signs energy bill calling for increase in RFS
          President signs Peru agreement
          Congress passes one-year AMT patch

Don't miss NCBA's Cattlemen to Cattlemen
The episode airing the week of Dec. 25-29 will feature a viewer favorite: Cattlemen and Cowboys. The story is narrated by America's favorite cowboy, John Wayne. It tells the beef production story in America and shows how the cowboy way of life evolved from America's most revered legend to a billion dollar global industry. To order a copy of the show, visit: http://www.nationalcattlemensfoundation.org.

NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen on RFD-TV provides weekly news and features for cattle producers across the country. The show airs Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. and is rebroadcast Wednesdays at 4:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Saturdays at 10 a.m. All times are Eastern.

Calendar
        Jan. 8-9―Beef 706, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas. more
        Jan. 10-11―Beef 706, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas. more
        Jan. 11-Feb.3―Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, Will Rogers Memorial Center, Fort Worth, Texas. more
        Jan. 12―South Texas Ranch Rodeo Roundup, Hilton Palacio Del Rio on the San Antonio Riverwalk. more
        Jan. 15―International Livestock Congress 2008, Denver, Colo. more
        Jan. 15-16―Blackland Income Growth Conference, Convention Center, Waco, Texas. more
        Jan. 16―KOMA Beef Cattle Conference, Washington County Fairgrounds, Dewey, Okla. more
        Jan. 16-17―Southwest Beef Symposium, Convention Center, Roswell, N.M. more
        Jan. 18-19―Planning the Return to the Farm/Ranch, Radisson Fossil Creek, Fort Worth, Texas. more
        Jan. 22-Apr. 15―Urban Rancher Landowner Training, Brazoria County Cooperative Extension Office, Angleton, Texas. more
        Jan. 31―Inaugural Distinguished Lectureships in Quail Management, Roby Community Center, Roby, Texas. more
        Jan. 31-Feb. 17―San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, AT&T Center and Freeman Coliseum grounds, San Antonio, Texas. more
        Feb. 6-9―National Cattlemen's Beef Association Annual Convention and Trade Show, Reno, Nev. more
        Feb. 17―South Texas Ranch Rodeo Finals, Horse Barn No. 2, San Antonio stock show grounds. more
        Feb. 19-20―2008 Wind Energy Institute, Convention Center, Austin, Texas. more
        Feb. 22-23―Planning the Return to the Farm/Ranch Radisson Fossil Creek, Fort Worth, Texas. more
        Mar. 3-22―Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Reliant Park, Houston, Texas. more
        Mar. 14-17―Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association 131st Annual Convention and Trade Show, Corpus Christi, Texas. more
        Mar. 31-Apr. 4―National Cattlemen's Beef Association 2008 Legislative Conference, Holiday Inn on the Hill , Washington, D.C. (303) 694-0305.

Operation Cow Thief
You can help catch a thief! go

Market Information
Direct link to TSCRA's market information page go

Events and Sale Calendar
Direct link to TSCRA's events and calendar page go