Wednesday April 13 Ag News

Growth Promoting Implants Add Pounds and Dollars to Calves
Steve Tonn, NE Extension Beef Systems Educator, Washington County

Few beef cattle-management practices are more cost effective or have a higher return on investment than properly used growth promoting implants.  Implants have been shown to increase weaning weights of nursing calves in hundreds of research trials.   Research trials show where daily gain from birth to weaning increases by 4 to 6 percent in nursing beef calves that receive a single implant. 

For the sake of illustration, assume that implanting calves on the cow increases gain by 5 percent.  Figure 15-30 pounds more weaning weight.  In today’s market that’s worth $30-60 per head.  The cost of the implant and labor is routinely less than $2/head.  What a great return on investment!

Implants can be quickly administered when working the calves in the spring prior to pasture turnout. Growth promoting implants are pellets that are implanted under the skin of the ear of growing calves.   They can be given the same time calfhood vaccinations and processing is done. 
Implant options for nursing calves include Ralgro©, Synovex C ©, and Component E-C ©.  None of the implants approved for nursing calves are approved for calves less than 30-45 days of age. 

Implants work best on steer calves and non-replacement heifer calves.  One implant between 2 months of age and weaning has been shown to have little impact on future reproductive performance of heifers.  However, little benefit has been shown as well.  Therefore, any heifers identified for replacements prior to processing should not be implanted.  Bull calves should not be implanted, as it can negatively impact their reproductive performance.  Calves destined for a natural or organic market should not be implanted.

Implants should be placed in the middle third of the ear between the skin and cartilage, making sure to avoid hitting the blood vessels in the ear.  The needle should be disinfected after each use.  For best results avoid crushing or bunching the implant pellets in the ear and make sure the implant is placed in the ear before pulling the needle out so part of the implant is not lost.

It’s true that beef produced using implants may have a slightly higher amount of hormones present in the meat as compared to beef that was produced without implants.  However, no beef is “hormone free”.  All mammals produce some degree of hormones.  Even some vegetable contain natural hormones.

Implanting nursing calves is a safe, economical management tool available to cow calf producers to maximize returns.



Nebraska Farm Bureau Backs Joni Albrecht for Legislature

Joni Albrecht of Thurston has been named a ‘Friend of Agriculture’ by NFBF-PAC, Nebraska Farm Bureau’s political action committee. Albrecht is a candidate for election to represent District 17 in the Nebraska Legislature.

“Joni has first-hand experience with how Nebraska agriculture is affected by state policies and regulations. For agriculture and rural Nebraska, it is critical to have people like Joni elected to the legislature that know agriculture and the important economic role it plays in rural communities,” said Mark McHargue of Central City, chairman of NFBF-PAC and first vice president of Nebraska Farm Bureau.

According to McHargue, Albrecht also has a breadth of experience that includes serving on the Papillion City Council for eight years and on the Sarpy County Board for four years that give her the ability to represent the citizens of District 17 on many fronts.

“We’re pleased to support Joni as she seeks to represent her District in the legislature,” said McHargue.

Other 'Friend of Agriculture' designations from NFBF-PAC include...
-  Suzanne Geist of Lincoln, a candidate for election to represent District 25 in the Nebraska Legislature.
-  Rick Vest of Lincoln, seeking election to the District 21 seat in the Nebraska Legislature, a position currently held by term-limited senator Ken Haar.
-  Steve Erdman of Bayard, a candidate for election to represent District 47 in the Nebraska Legislature.
-  Mike Hilgers of Lincoln, seeking election to the District 21 seat in the Nebraska Legislature, a position currently held by term-limited senator Ken Haar.
-  Bob Lammers of Kearney, a candidate for election to represent District 37 in the Nebraska Legislature.

Farm Bureau’s ‘Friend of Agriculture’ designation is given to selected candidates for public office based on their commitment to and positions on agricultural issues, qualifications, previous experience, communication abilities and their ability to represent the district. 



GETTING THE MOST OUT OF CRP
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               Most CRP fields can be used as pasture or hay periodically.  If that is in your plans, make the most of this opportunity.

               For years the only time you could use CRP was in an emergency, and then it often was so late that you got little good from it.  Times have changed, though, so many of you can actually plan on using the forage grown on CRP fields.

               But look at what kind of feed currently is available from most fields.  Then imagine what that will be like in mid-summer when use can begin.  In most cases, so much old dead trash exists that yield of new green growth will be low, and weeds may be a problem.

               One of the best ways to improve yield and quality of CRP forage is a prescribed burn in the spring.  This removes old, dead trash, promotes new green growth, and controls some weeds and trees.  Be sure you can burn both safely and legally, though, before you try it.

               Weed control options will vary based on the weed problems in your CRP.  Thistles and broadleaves often are controlled best using herbicides like Grazon and Milestone.  For specific recommendations, visit your local extension office to review options in our new weed management guide.

               Most CRP fields have had no fertilizer for many years so yields often increase nicely when nitrogen, and sometimes phosphorus, fertilizers are applied.  I wouldn’t spend money of fertilizer, though, until you have removed the old, dead growth and have controlled most of the weeds.

               Think ahead.  Can hay or pasture from your CRP fields improve your livestock program?  Then take care of it so it can work for you.



RFI NEWS RELEASE: RURAL FUTURES INSTITUTE ESTABLISHES NEW PARTNERSHIP: KASKIE TO LEAD THE RFI FELLOWS PROGRAM

The Rural Futures Institute (RFI) at the University of Nebraska is proud to welcome Shawn Kaskie and Aliese Hoffman to the RFI Team. Kaskie will lead efforts in developing and expanding the RFI Fellows Program. He will be assisted by Aliese Hoffman, administrative specialist.

In the new partnership Kaskie will hold joint positions with the RFI and the University of Nebraska at Kearneys Center for Rural Research and Development (CRRD) in the College of Business and Technology. Shawn is a certified Professional Community and Economic Developer, and a former Gallup Entrepreneurship Acceleration System Guide, a business retention and expansion consultant, and NxLevel entrepreneurship instructor.

Hoffman will also have a shared RFI/CRRD position and will assist Kaskie as program assistant for the development of the Fellows program. Hoffman is a Red Cloud native and UNK graduate. Kaskie will join the RFI team with the goal of launching and growing a RFI Fellows Program said Chuck Schroeder, executive director of the Rural Futures Institute.

Kaskie has a Masters degree in regional planning and undergraduate majors in public administration, sociology, and psychology from Hastings College. He has experience in providing community economic development and market research.

We are very excited to welcome Shawn and Aliese to the RFI team and look forward to developing even closer working relationships between the four University of Nebraska campuses as well as community and organizational partners as the RFI Fellows program evolves said Connie Reimers-Hild, associate director of the Rural Futures Institute. The Memorandum of Understanding between the RFI and the University of Nebraska at Kearney is the first for the Institute.

Shawn will be in a position to advance the agendas of both the RFI Fellows Program and the Center for Rural Research and Development on the UNK campus. This is a collaboration of tremendous potential that is emerging at exactly the right time and in a most effective way said Charles Bicak, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs at UNK.

The Rural Futures Institute is one of four interdisciplinary institutes at the University of Nebraska that leverages the talents and research-based expertise from across the system. The institute, through a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, encourages bold and futuristic approaches to collaboratively address state, national and global challenges.



Soil Management and Land Valuation Conference to be held in Ames

The 89th annual Soil Management and Land Valuation Conference, the longest running conference at Iowa State University, will be held on May 18 in the Scheman Building on the ISU campus.

The conference, which runs from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., is sponsored by the ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and ISU Extension and Outreach. It is intended for farm managers, rural land appraisers, real estate brokers and others interested in the land market in Iowa.

“This is the longest-running conference at Iowa State and it has consistently provided up to date information on issues that are relevant to the broader agricultural community,” said Wendong Zhang, assistant professor of economics and extension economist at Iowa State University.

The conference will feature discussions on six topics, with ISU Extension and Outreach researchers having a strong presence throughout the event. The overall theme will be the issues with implications for soil management and land valuation. The topics of conversation for the conference include:
-    Global Economic Outlook: What does a slowing China and a strong U.S. dollar mean for U.S. agriculture? Presented by Nathan Kauffman, assistant vice president, Omaha Branch executive and economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
-    Panel Discussion on Current and Future Cash Rents in Iowa by three agricultural lenders and farm managers. Moderated by Alejandro Plastina, assistant professor and extension economist at Iowa State University
-    Excessive Spring Rain Will Be More Frequent (except this year): Weather tools to manage it. Presented by Chris Anderson, assistant director Climate Science Group at Iowa State University
-    Soil Fertility Management with Tight Crop Production Margins. Presented by John Sawyer, professor and extension specialist in soil fertility and nutrient management at Iowa State University
-    Cover Crops, Wetlands and Conservation Drainage: Why we need to adopt and how many acres are needed.Presented by Matt Helmers, professor and extension agricultural engineer in agricultural and biosystems engineering at Iowa State University
-    Evaluating Hunting Leases: Implications for recreational land values. Presented by Tom Steen, the Hunting Lease Network, Farmers National Company

The Iowa Appraiser Examining Board has approved the conference for six hours of continuing education. The Iowa Real Estate Commission also has approved the conference for six hours of continuing education for renewal of a real estate and broker’s license.

Conference registration can be done online, with the event costing $100 for those who register on or before May 4 and $110 after May 4.



14th annual Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin contest begins

The search is on for Iowa's best breaded pork tenderloin.  The Iowa Pork Producers Association has extended the Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest nomination process this year to give consumers more time to submit their favorite. The contest opens April 20 and will continue through June 8.

Forms are available at iowapork.org and in the May issue of the Iowa Pork Producer magazine. Nominations are limited to one per household.

Any café, restaurant or tavern that serves hand-breaded or battered pork tenderloins is eligible to be nominated. An establishment must be open year-round to win, but seasonal restaurants can make the top five. The top five restaurants with the most nominations from each of the eight IPPA districts will be judged. The IPPA Restaurant and Foodservice Committee reserves the right to add additional restaurants to the judging process as it sees fit. Restaurant owners and operators are prohibited from nominating their own establishment.

"We know there are a lot of really great tenderloin sandwiches out there and we want to know about them," said Kelsey Sutter, IPPA marketing and program director. "We want all tenderloin enthusiasts to get involved and rally around their favorite; make our job picking 2016's best really difficult!" 

One person who nominates the winning restaurant will be entered in a drawing to win $100. The winning restaurant will receive $500, a plaque to display in the establishment and statewide publicity.

The 2015 contest produced 1,161 nominations and nearly 40 tenderloin sandwiches were judged on the quality of the pork, taste, physical characteristics and eating experience. The Belmond Drive-in was judged last year's winner.

Iowa pork industry representatives will judge the tenderloins and IPPA will announce the winner during October Pork Month.

The contest recognizes Iowa dining establishments that have pork as a regular menu feature in support of the Iowa swine industry.



NMPF, IDFA Urge Congress to Challenge WHO Proposal Prohibiting Promotion of Milk & Milk Products to Young Children

The National Milk Producers Federation and the International Dairy Foods Association urged members of Congress this week to insist that the United States request a more thorough analysis of a World Health Organization (WHO) proposal seeking to discourage parents from feeding toddlers milk and certain dairy products.

At the beginning of the year, the WHO issued “Ending Inappropriate Marketing of Foods for Infants and Young Children,” a guidance document urging the prohibition of the promotion and marketing of various milk products for children up to age three.

“The WHO guidance document is a de facto criticism of all milk consumption by toddlers,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF.  “This flies in the face of all credible, international nutrition research, and would confuse consumers across the globe.”

“The WHO guidance should be focusing on how to encourage the serving of nutrient-dense foods to provide young children and toddlers with a nutritious basis for meals and snacks,” said Connie Tipton, IDFA president and CEO. “It should not restrict the flow of important information regarding the nutritional benefits of dairy foods for young children to parents, caregivers and healthcare providers.”

In a letter sent to members of the House and Senate, both organizations want the U.S. government to insist that the WHO revise this document to rectify the misleading suggestion that dairy is inappropriate for young children. The proposal was modified somewhat in late March, but the recent revisions still run counter to established science that highlights milk’s unique nutritional attributes.

The groups ask Congress to insist that the WHO conduct “a much more thorough analysis of the scientific basis for and potential consequences of this proposal before the WHO pushes forward with further action in this area,” the letter said.  “Until that type of careful scrutiny and revision takes place, we urge the U.S. to insist on the importance of placing this proposal on hold.”

If the guidance were adopted, it could have negative health effects on children worldwide. It also counters ample scientific evidence that dairy plays a significant and positive role in children’s diets, as seen in the recently updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the inclusion of dairy foods in programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

NMPF and IDFA are part of a coalition that objects to the WHO proposal. Among their efforts, NMPF and IDFA have met with numerous U.S. agencies and submitted detailed comments to the Department of Health and Human Services, the lead federal agency on the matter.

“This is of great concern to the U.S. dairy industry because the policies proposed contradict decades of federal nutrition policy, which recognizes dairy foods as safe, nutrient-rich foods to be encouraged for growing children under three years of age,” the letter argued.



Agriculture, Energy & Water Approps Bills Bring Positives, Negatives for Soybean Farmers

With the release of several draft appropriations bills yesterday, including the FY17 Agricultural and Energy & Water Appropriations language, the American Soybean Association (ASA) has analyzed both for the potential impacts on soybean operations across the country.

“Predictably, there are positives and negatives in each of these drafts,” said ASA President Richard Wilkins, who farms in Greenwood, Del. “While the Energy & Water Appropriations bill looks to be very positive with regard to soybean farmer priorities, there are some issues we’re concerned about in the Agriculture Appropriations bill that we hope will be ironed out in the long run.”

Among the positives in the Energy & Water Appropriations bill is a prohibition on the use of funds to implement the controversial Clean Water Rule, also known as Waters of the United States. Additionally, the bill boosts funding for waterways infrastructure to record levels, including $6.1 billion in overall funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Included in that overall number is $1.946 billion for the USACE Construction account, $3.157 billion for the Operations and Maintenance account, and $1.263 billion for the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund.

“The Energy & Water Approps bill is very positive for soybean farmers,” said Wilkins. “It prohibits the use of funds to implement the Clean Water Rule, while at the same time investing in the infrastructure improvement we need to get our products reliably to our customers.”

In the agricultural appropriations bill, ASA is concerned with a litany of cuts to conservation programs authorized in the farm bill, including $300 million from the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), $113 million from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and a reduction in the funds available for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program to $46.5 million. The association maintains a policy position opposing cuts to any farm bill program, as well as opposing the opening of the farm bill to restructure such programs.

“The cuts to CSP, EQIP and RCPP are not conducive to our farmers’ conservation goals on their farms,” said Wilkins. “We count on these programs to help us hit our conservation benchmarks, and we won’t support the significant cuts contained in the House proposal.”

Wilkins did point to a significant positive in the agriculture language, citing the $3 million set aside for outreach and education on agricultural biotechnology as a step in the right direction.

“We’ve heard the leading minds in food safety and agricultural bioscience attest time and time again to the safety of biotechnology, but we’ve not done a good enough job at communicating the proven safety and the benefits of this technology to consumers,” Wilkins said. “This investment is a great initial commitment to that effort, and we applaud the House for including it.”



EIA: Ethanol Stocks Build

Ethanol inventories increased during the week-ended April 8 while domestic production fell for the third straight week and implied demand rose again, according to information released by the Energy Information Administration on Wednesday, April 13.

The data shows inventory rose about 100,000 barrels (bbl), or 0.5%, to 22.3 million bbl during the week reviewed, pushing a year-over-year surplus to 1.7 million bbl, or 8.1%.

Plant production fell 37,000 barrels per day (bpd), or 3.8%, to 938,000 bpd last week while up about 1.5% year-over-year. Production is now at an 11-month low.

Blender inputs, a proxy for ethanol demand, increased by 9,000 bpd, or 1.0%, to 907,000 bpd for the week, while also up 2.5% year-over-year.



Downwind safety on the farm - Manure application research aims to improve food safety

Consumers don’t buy leafy greens and other healthy supermarket produce anticipating the food might make their families sick. Or at least, they didn’t used to.

But high profile recalls of fruits and veggies seem to be a new normal in the American food landscape. The recalls follow outbreaks of foodborne illnesses caused by microbes like E. coli. These outbreaks can send unsuspecting veggiephiles rushing to the nearest toilet or, worse yet, the hospital. Some outbreaks can even result in deaths. 

Of concern is how nearby farming practices can taint produce with bacteria. This can happen when farmers apply animal manure to fields near fresh produce. Tiny particles, including bacteria, may go airborne and drift to nearby fields. But scientists weren’t sure just how likely microbes can travel from manure application sites to downwind produce.

That is, until now. New field research out of Clarkson University in upstate New York is providing an answer. Shane Rogers, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, led a research team that looked into the issue. They measured how far common bacteria—including Salmonella and E. coli—are likely to travel downwind from manure application sites. They hoped to better understand how fresh produce might be contaminated by nearby animal agriculture practices.

“Our goal was to provide a logical framework to study this pathway,” Rogers said. This helped them make science-based recommendations for setback distances that protect human health.

The team used field data to understand how these bacteria travel from manure application sites to produce. The research lasted three years. They took samples at several distances from manure application sites and measured the presence of illness-causing bacteria.

The researchers used computer models to expand their understanding. “It is not possible to obtain measurements for every possible set of circumstances that may exist,” Rogers said. “The models allow us to predict produce contamination over a larger range of probable conditions than our raw measurements would provide.” These include the type of manure, the terrain of the farm, and weather conditions at the time the manure is applied.

The team also evaluated the risk of illness. This gave the team a better understanding of how likely someone is to get sick from produce when a certain amount of bacteria is present.

Combining all that data, the team found that produce fields should be set back from areas of manure application by at least 160 meters. That distance should help lower the risk of foodborne illness to acceptable levels (1 in 10,000).

Rogers emphasized that the advice is for a minimum setback. “(160 meters is) the minimum distance that produce growers should maintain between manure application activities and produce growing areas,” Rogers said. Additional distance and delay between manure application and harvest would provide further protection.

The study appears in Journal of Environmental Quality. This project was supported by National Research Initiative Competitive Grant and the Agricultural Food and Research Initiative (AFRI) from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Air Quality Program.



Anhydrous Prices Lead March Higher

Average retail fertilizer prices continued to advance the first week of April 2016, according to data tracked by DTN. Fertilizer application is in full tilt right ahead of corn planting, and activity is boosting demand.

As was the case last week, six of the eight major fertilizers in DTN's exclusive survey of ag retailers edged higher compared to a month earlier. The only fertilizer up any significance was anhydrous, which gained 8% compared to a month earlier. Anhydrous averaged $586 per ton.

Five other fertilizers were higher compared to last month, but the move was fairly minor. DAP averaged $480/ton, MAP $504/ton, urea $387/ton, UAN28 $272/ton and UAN32 $315/ton.

Two fertilizers were lower in price, but again the move lower was fairly minor. Potash averaged $369/ton while 10-34-0 was at $561/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.42/lb.N, anhydrous $0.36/lb.N, UAN28 $0.47/lb.N and UAN32 $0.49/lb.N.

While retail fertilizer prices have reversed their year-long slide since February, all fertilizers remain lower compared to a year earlier, according to DTN's most recent weekly retail survey.

10-34-0 is now 14% lower. UAN32 is 15% lower compared to a year earlier while DAP, MAP and urea are all now 16% less expensive. In addition, anhydrous is 17% lower, UAN28 is 18% less expensive and potash is 25% lower compared to a year ago.



Cost of Crop Protection Innovation Increases to $286 Million per Product

Every crop protection product that reaches the market costs $286 million and takes 11 years of research and development to ensure the highest safety and efficacy standards, according to a new report published today. The report found the industry spent a total of $2.6 billion on new innovations in 2014.

CropLife International (CLI), CropLife America (CLA) and the European Crop Protection Association (ECPA) commissioned Phillips McDougall, an independent consultant specializing in market analysis for the agrochemical industry, to research the cost of bringing a new active ingredient to market.

The report found the cost of bringing a new product to market has increased by 55 percent since the turn of the century. Much of the increase in cost can be attributed to a rise in the volume and complexity of environmental safety and toxicology data required by regulatory bodies to ensure products are safe.

Meanwhile the time commitment to bring a product to market has increased from 8 years in 1995 to more than 11 years now, reflecting the rigorous research and development phase and delays in regulatory decisions.

CropLife International CEO and President Howard Minigh said: “The crop protection industry continues to invest heavily in cutting edge innovations to help farmers around the world to protect their crops from pests. Given the growing cost, the report demonstrates why we need predictable and risk-based regulations alongside robust intellectual property rights to give companies the confidence to continue to invest.”

CropLife America President and CEO Jay Vroom stated: “Crop protection products have never been more thoroughly tested and screened to ensure product safety, which is why regulators must ensure that the process for review does not change at a moment’s notice. The United States established two governing Acts, FIFRA and FQPA, that guarantee health and safety of the public, while ensuring a clear path for pesticide registration. The recent regulatory decisions have strayed from these guidelines by depending on less stringent scientific standards, causing concern about the ability for companies to bring new, more environmentally sound technologies to the market.”

European Crop Protection Association Director General Jean-Charles Bocquet added: “Our industry is founded in science, and as this report demonstrates, it takes years and significant resource and scientific expertise to get even close to bringing one of our innovations to market, however the increased politicization of science in Europe is making that process more and more difficult.”



U.S. Trade Representative Froman Keynotes Spring Legislative Conference
-- Cattle Producers Urge TPP Passage Now
 
As part of the the National Cattlemen 's Beef Association’s annual Legislative Conference this morning, Ambassador Michael Froman, U.S. Trade Representative, stressed the cost of inaction on the Trans Pacific Partnership.

“For the past seven years, the Obama Administration has worked together with NCBA to expand export markets for American beef and cattle,” said Froman. “In that time, United States beef exports have more than doubled, rising from $3.1 billion to $6.3 billion last year. However we have more work to do together – most especially, guaranteeing that American ranchers and farmers across this country see the full economic grains the TPP will mean for them and their communities. For example, by 2030, two-thirds of the world’s middle class will call Asia home. However, exports of American beef to countries in the TPP are being hit with tariffs as high as 50 percent, and face all manner of non-tariff barriers. This high-standard agreement cuts over 18,000 foreign taxes on U.S. exports, opens markets for American ranchers and farmers in one of the world’s fastest-growing regions, and advances regulations that are transparent and based on science.”

Froman stressed that U.S. beef exports would increase by 444 million pounds as a result of TPP, resulting in increased cash receipts totaling $1.14 billion.

“All told, it’s estimated that TPP will boost annual net farm income in the United States by $4.4 billion,” said Froman. “With these benefits at hand, the cost of inaction is alarming – together, let’s ensure we never pay them.”

The message resonated with cattle producers who experience daily erosion of U.S market share in leading export markets like Japan. NCBA Vice President Kevin Kester said the U.S. must continue to embrace trade and expand market access for its products.

“The U.S. cattle industry relies on international trade to add value and stabilize markets,” said Kester. “Global consumers demand high quality U.S. beef muscle cuts, but exports are especially critical in adding value to otherwise undervalued cuts such as variety meats and offal. While they have little value domestically, cuts such as tongue and tripe, fetch premiums in the Asia and Pacific Rim markets. There are no other global markets that can absorb that demand if we cannot remain competitive in the Pacific.”

Following Ambassador Froman's address, an estimated 300 cattle producers from across the country hit Capitol Hill to meet with their Congressional representatives.

“Swift passage of TPP is the top legislative priority for cattle producers, and we need to see passage of TPP this Congressional session,” said Kester. “There is simply no better way to show Congress the importance of this issue than cattlemen and women meeting directly with their Representatives and Senators. Capitol Hill needs to understand that delaying action on TPP is costing cattlemen real money.”

Passage of TPP is not only a priority for the cattle industry, but is supported by a broad coalition of agriculture and food organizations and associations.

“We were very pleased this week to sign a letter with 224 other groups supporting TPP,”' said Kester. “This showing of support from a diverse group of commodity associations, producers, manufacturers and food companies demonstrates the potential economic impact we all expect from TPP. While some cling to the past or dig their heels doggedly in the present, trade is for the future, and cattle producers embrace that future.”