Exports key to beef demand

Date: Nov 19 2009

News Release

Opportunities hide within every challenge, but beef producers can find them through analysis and planning. That was part of the take-home message at the Feeding Quality Forums, Nov. 10 in South Sioux City, Neb., and Nov. 12 in Garden City, Kan.

Consumers want high-quality, branded beef

Date: Nov 09 2009

News Release

Beef reigns supreme in consumers’ protein choices, according to research released earlier this year from West Texas A&M University. Nearly half of consumers surveyed put beef as their No. 1 protein choice, and 97% indicated they ate beef between one and 12 times each week.

The genetic effect

Date: Nov 05 2009

News Release

Genetic change in the cattle business is a slow and steady process, but evidence shows it’s happening, and that it’s positive for beef quality.

As cows eat, so grow the calves

Date: Nov 03 2009

News Release

Your cowherd checklist might look pretty sparse after the calves are weaned and rebreeding is confirmed. Maybe the cows regained some condition and they’re coasting now on crop residue. Next item would be, what, calving?

Demand for CAB outstrips Choice

Date: Oct 20 2009

News Release

When times are lean, sales of luxury items are typically the first to fall off. However, when it comes to beef, it appears that consumer demand for the higher quality and pricier Certified Angus Beef ® (CAB®) brand held up better than that for USDA Choice or lower grade beef.

Beef cattle tales connect with consumers

Date: Oct 19 2009

News Release

Cattlemen tell stories in a lot of ways – across a fence gate, over coffee at the feed store, through the pickup window or atop a good horse in the back of the ropin’ pen. Now, producers focused on quality can also tell their stories at www.certifiedangusbeef.com.

What’s up?

Date: Oct 13 2009

News Release

Three years ago, a 30-year decline in beef quality grades was apparent, with only half of fed cattle grading USDA Choice. The Choice/Select spread hit record highs in 2006, but today the picture is much different (see chart). July figures show 60.1% of the harvest mix graded Choice the first half of this year, but why?

New manual guides stocker-backgrounders to quality

Date: Oct 12 2009

News Release

When it comes to beef quality, the stocker industry is sometimes considered oblivious, or driven only by pounds. But market dynamics have continued to build the case that quality matters to these entrepreneurs, and of course, they matter in any discussion of beef quality.

Symposium covers marbling from all angles

Date: Oct 07 2009

News Release

Marbling can be fickle. Everything, from genetics to growth technologies and production systems, affects the way and how much intramuscular fat cattle will express. This summer an American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) symposium focused on getting the most meat quality with maximum efficiency. Daryl Tatum, Colorado State University (CSU), began by citing advantages and disadvantages of implants and beta-agonists.