Leasing land for energy development to be discussed at Farm Science Review. Here's a preview.
With rising energy prices, increasing concern for the environment and new energy policy, landowners are being approached to lease their farmland for energy production. There are many things to consider and discuss before signing any documents, said Eric Romich, Ohio State University (OSU) Extension field specialist for energy development.
"Landowners are often presented with what is commonly referred to as a 'standard energy lease,' " he said. "Typically, a lease provided to a landowner by a company representative will be a well-prepared document written from the company's perspective."
Many of the terms written in those leases are negotiable, he said. Before negotiating a lease, landowners should seek legal counsel and explore all options to maximize their economic potential while preserving their land and natural resources. Read more.
Matt Printz
Association Perspective
Drought management and available tools.
With much of the country enduring one of the worst droughts on record, it is easy for a cattle producer to feel overwhelmed. Pastures are dry, feed is expensive and the prospect of rain is unlikely in the near future. Many ranchers are considering the reduction of their herd, and many who normally manage yearlings through the summer have already sold them.
There are some management practices, however, that may help a rancher survive this situation. The first is to manage your pastures properly. Management practices such as rotational grazing can stretch out a pasture's potential. The second opportunity is to consider early weaning. Many producers I have visited with are planning to wean their calves earlier to reduce the number of head grazing and reduce the nutritional requirements of the cow since she no longer needs to lactate. Read more.
New Structure for Checkoff Committees
A newly approved structure for joint beef checkoff committees endeavors to engage more cattle producers and beef importers in a more efficient decision-making process about investment of their checkoff dollars.
Adopted unanimously by both the Cattlemen's Beef Board (CBB) and the Federation of State Beef Councils during the recent 2012 Cattle Industry Summer Conference in Denver, Colo., the new structure reduces the number of checkoff program committees — which are responsible for making recommendations to the Beef Promotion Operating Committee about programs to fund with checkoff dollars — from the current 13 to just four in 2013.
Read more.
U.S. Forest Service Planning Rule Violates Law
PLC, NCBA and ASI file lawsuit against USFS.
The Public Lands Council (PLC), National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) and the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) filed a lawsuit Aug. 13 against the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), challenging its latest forest planning rule. PLC, NCBA and ASI join multiple industry organizations, such as the Federal Forest Resource Coalition, Minnesota Timber Producers Association and the California Forestry Association in filing suit, claiming that the new planning rule, finalized in March 2012, violates the National Forest Management Act (NFMA), the Multiple-Use, Sustained-Yield Act (MUSYA) of 1960 and the Administrative Procedures Act (APA).
Under the NFMA, USFS is required to promulgate regulations under the principles of the MUSYA, which set out the process for development and revision of land management plans, guidelines and standards. Individual forests follow the direction of the planning rule and develop specific management plans. The new planning rule, however, is flawed in multiple respects. Read more.
What’s Inside …
In this August edition of the Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, you'll find valuable articles devoted to the management, marketing, and health and nutrition of your beef enterprise. Select from the tabs at the top of the page to access this month's entire offering by category. A few select features include:
- Drought-damaged Soybeans Can Make Cattle Feed
- Cow Camp Chatter: Self-disciplined ranch management needed.
- Drought Conditions Make Corn Dangerous to Feed to Livestock
- Preconditioning Strategies For Drought-Stricken Areas
- In The Cattle Markets: Assessing and coming to grips with drought response decisions.
- Market Still Positive
- Government Buy Affects Markets
News Briefs …
The American Angus Association and its subsidiaries generate a wealth of information to keep members and affiliates informed of what's happening within the industry as well as with the programs and services they offer. Click here for easy access to the newsrooms of the American Angus Association and Certified Angus Beef LLC and the Angus e-List archive.
Finding Research Dollars
National association to advocate for research funding of animal sciences.
A group of university department heads from across the nation has come together to establish an association focused on advocating increased federal investment in animal science. The National Association for the Advancement of Animal Science is composed of representatives from animal, dairy and poultry science departments from colleges and universities across the United States who are dedicated to improving overall federal funding for animal agriculture research. Read more.
A Look Inside the Ranch
Angus ranch featured on the Travel Channel.
Two mountain valleys, lush grass and wide-open spaces create the breathtaking scenery of Baker City, Ore. Those who call it home would say Baker City is one of the best small towns in the United States. The Travel Channel agrees.
The city and its residents, including Thomas Angus Ranch, were recently featured on the Best of the Road by Rand McNally. The program is a search for the best small towns in America and airs each Wednesday. Accompanying McNally were USA Today® and rally team Two for the Road, Nik and Dusty Green of Austin, Texas.
"The Best of the Road caught a glimpse of how serious producers across the country take raising cattle," says Lori Thomas, Thomas Angus Ranch, "and that is all we hoped for out of this event — to touch one person with the truth about agriculture." Read more.
USDA Issues August Cattle on Feed Report
July placements, marketings down compared to last year.
USDA's monthly Cattle-on-Feed report for August, released Friday afternoon, Aug. 17, showed the number of cattle in feedlots with capacities of 1,000 head and more almost precisely as was expected, on average, by analysts surveyed before the report's release.
Total cattle on feed as of Aug. 1 numbered 10.656 million head, 0.7% higher than one year ago. That year-on-year increase is exactly the same as the average of pre-report estimates. The figure is 7.9% larger than was the inventory on Aug. 1, 2010. Read more.
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