Sect. 1 6-2-15.qxp:Layout 1 5/28/15 2:22 PM Page 1 Where’s the Beef? Major 75,000+ Head Important 60,000+ Head Average 45,000+ Head This map illustrates where the large populations of cattle are locatd according to the Kansas Agriculture Statistics Services’ latest report on County Cattle Counts, released on May 11, 2015. Cattle numbers see slight increase in 2015 By Donna Sullivan, Editor May 11, will be compared 2015. The beef cattle inven- head. saw the largest gain, adding 52,000 to come in at 30,000 County cattle estimates to those from 2013. tory was at 1.47 million, up Haskell County still 47,000 head, after having head. were not released in 2014, An uptick was seen in the from 1.32 million. Dairy holds the top spot for cattle seen the largest loss in 2013 Twenty-nine counties due to the National Agricul- overall number of cattle and cows went from 132,000 to numbers, holding steady at of 27,000. Marshall County saw gains of 5,000 head or ture Statistics Service de- calves, which were at 5.8 143,000 over the two years. 395,000 head, with Gray experienced the largest de- more, while 26 counties had voting their time to analyz- million in 2013 and came in Cattle on feed fell from 2.25 County coming in second at crease, losing 22,000 head losses of 5,000 or more. ing data from the 2012 Cen- at 6 million as of January 1, million to 2.18 million 245,000. Hamilton County from their 2013 count of sus of Agriculture. There- fore, this year’s county esti- mates, which were released Winners and Losers 2015 + 5000 and more -5000 and more According to the Kansas Ag Statistics, 29 counties had gains of 5,000 head or more, while 26 saw losses of 5,000 head or more. Sect. 1 6-2-15.qxp:Layout 1 5/28/15 2:48 PM Page 2 Page 2 Grass & Grain, June 2, 2015 evolve and most of the peo- nounced implementation of ple in the United States third-party verification Walmart issues policy today are not involved in measures to ensure food an- farming and ranching. imals are treated humanely. on animal welfare Americans know little In some instances, cus- about where their food tomers will demand third- comes from. They want to party verification and if it and antibiotic use believe that what livestock doesn’t exist, the store pro- Walmart and Sam’s Club viding progress reports to producers are doing is con- viding the food may not be announced their new posi- Walmart on animal welfare Tell the livestock story sistent with their values and credible. tion on animal welfare and practices and adopting judi- antibiotic use in farm ani- cious use policies on an- By John Schlageck, Farmers and ranchers ethics. Telling this story in- Agriculture can and will cludes showing people what win the hearts and minds of mals recently. Highlights of timicrobial administration Kansas Farm Bureau must talk about their com- this new policy include the from American Veterinary is taking place on our na- consumers. Today’s livestock produc- mitment to doing the right humane treatment of farm Medical Association ers work in a noble profes- thing – their commitment to tion’s farms and ranches. Farmers and ranchers animals and responsible (AVMA) and Food and Drug sion. Unfortunately, not values and ethics, not just That said, there clearly must remember whom they use of antibiotics in farm Administration (FDA). everyone believes this so science. remain legitimate reasons are trying to influence. Cus- animals. Under their hu- “Walmart is committed people who care for animals They have plenty of evi- like disease prevention and tomers and consumers need mane treatment policy, Wal- to selling products that sus- must understand how con- dence to demonstrate biosecurity not to allow un- to hear from livestock pro- mart has adopted the “Five tain people and the environ- sumers think and feel; get they’re doing the right thing, fettered access to farms and ducers. Freedoms” of animal wel- ment,” said Kathleen fare which include freedom McLaughlin, president of inside their heads, if you but rely too much on such ranches. It is not productive for Livestock production or the agriculture community from hunger and thirst; the Walmart Foundation will. language. They must con- freedom from discomfort; and senior vice president of animal agriculture in the to attack activist groups. In- Consumers hold farmers nect with the public on a freedom from pain, injury Walmart sustainability. “We responsible for the humane values basis. most affluent country in the stead, agriculture must re- or disease; freedom to ex- have listened to our cus- treatment of farm animals. The most important job world faces special chal- take its rightful position as press normal behavior; and tomers, and are asking our In recent consumer surveys, ahead is to communicate in lenges and opportunities. the people in charge of en- freedom from fear and dis- suppliers to engage in im- people rated animal well- a way that helps people Among those challenges is suring the humane treat- tress. Walmart is asking proved reporting standards being higher than the care trust what farmers and that Americans spend such ment of animals. their suppliers to take spe- and transparency measures and well-being of workers in ranchers say and do. Too a small percentage of their Tell your story. Inform cific actions in regard to regarding the treatment of both policies such as pro- farm animals.” the food system but not as often livestock producers income on food that they people at every opportunity high as food safety. take for granted that rural can demand food where how hard you work every It is not science, techni- neighbors know and under- they want it, when they want day to ensure animals are U.S. meat industry remains optimistic cal capacity or ability that stand who they are and what it, in the proportion they treated fairly and humanely. about international markets drives trust. Instead, it is they do. want it and produced in a John Schlageck is a lead- whether consumers believe Agriculture can no humane way. ing commentator on agricul- While U.S. meat exports Meat Export Federation agriculture shares their longer take this for granted. Many food stores and ture and rural Kansas. Born face imposing challenges in (USMEF) Board of Directors ethics and values. Our industry continues to food retailers have an- and raised on a diversified 2015, this hasn’t dampened Meeting, which concluded farm in northwestern Kansas, the industry’s enthusiasm recently in San Antonio, his writing reflects a lifetime for international marketing. Texas. This was the prevailing “The mood is very posi- of experience, knowledge and theme throughout the U.S. tive, despite all the chal- passion. lenges we have faced in the first few months of this year,” said USMEF Chair Leann Saunders. “We heard a lot this week about the large volume of protein that’s going to be entering the market in the next ten years, and our members know the international mar- kets are essential to their ability to move that protein into the value-added mar- Monsoon season is upon us. Yes, I put too much strain on them). Even ketplace.” it is wet. The first topic of conversa- then, I will not complain about the Red meat exports en- dured a difficult first quar- tion with anyone is about how much mud or the rain that made it. ter in 2015, slowed by West it has rained in the past couple of Okay, so you get my point, I will Coast port congestion, in- weeks. Honestly, I am not sure. not complain about rain. Sure I tense competition in key markets and a very strong Each day seems like the movie might whine about it, but I will not U.S. dollar. But Saunders Groundhog Day because every morn- complain. My theory is if we com- said USMEF members are ing I walk outside and dump be- plain too much, it will cause it not to still confident in their in- vestments in international tween a half inch and an inch of rain rain again for a very long time and marketing for beef, pork out of the gauge. I have forgotten the we will all complain about how dry it and lamb. total, and it probably wouldn’t mat- is. I will not be responsible for scar- “They are definitely in this for the long haul and ter because I can’t count that high ing the rain off. It is easier to try to understand this is not a anyway. figure out what to do with too much sprint, but a marathon,” she The next topic, especially from rain than not enough. said. “It’s really been a my non-farming friends, is if I am I also have problems complain- pleasure to interact with USMEF members this week tired of the rain yet. My immediate ing about the rain when many of my and see the positive outlook answer is a resounding no. I am a western Kansas friends have so des- they have for the future of long way from complaining about perately needed rain for the last sev- our industry.” the rain. Sure, all of my soybean eral years. It is good to see them get- seed is safely tucked away in the ting some of this precipitation and I shed and the brome grass is getting will not do anything to jinx them.