Brookings Meeting Looks At "Natural" Cattle Production

US - An upcoming producer meeting in Brookings will discuss "natural" beef production systems, one of the industry's rapidly emerging and expanding segments.
calendar icon 4 January 2007
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"Matching Cattle to Markets: A Natural Approach" is set for Wednesday, Jan. 17, at the Brookings County Resource Center. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. and the program begins at 9 a.m.

"Targeting Natural beef production offers economic incentives for cattlemen and cattle feeders but does not come without a cost," Miner County Extension Educator Jim Krantz said. "Excluding ionophores, implants and antibiotics that are included in typical production systems results in reduced gains, increased feed costs, and the need for a regimented health program. All of these issues will be part of the discussions during the program."

Brett Stuart, Cattle-Fax, will outline the current situation of the U.S. beef industry including the current stage of the cattle cycle, trends in production, and what the market is really demanding. Stuart will also touch on the value difference in the industry, comparing various grades and labels and discussing who is willing to pay the bill for differentiated products such as "natural beef."

A United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) representative, Dana Stahl, follows with a USDA definition of "natural" beef and an overview of the third-party verification system for documentation of production practices.

South Dakota State University Extension Beef Feedlot Specialist Erik Loe will focus on the fundamental management of cattle fed under the guidelines of natural programs, including expected performance of these cattle and the ideal source of calves for these programs.

Source: Marshall County Journal
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