Fourth time a charm?

On Thursday Congress decided to extend the current Farm Bill yet again. After an extension of one-week, which resulted in little progress, the House and Senate agreed on a two-week period for their fourth extension.    

Cob crunch

Texas Governor Rick Perry’s effort to obtain a waiver from the Renewable Fuels Standard received a contrasting response from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association and the National Corn Growers Association. TCFA feels that the waiver would be a step towards lowering prices on corn for cattle feeding, but the NCGA expressed their belief that the move would do nothing to help cattle feeders and would only serve to further raise fuel prices.   

Colorado facing illegal farm worker issues

Amongst strong debate, the Colorado State Senate approved a bill designed to help farmers and ranchers hire temporary workers from other countries this past Friday. Republican Sen. Dave Schultheis of Colorado Springs, who is a vocal opponent of illegal immigration, says the measure doesn't require officials to track how many workers fail to return to their home country.   

Heart of the matter

Kerla, India will become the country’s first state to make human heart valves from bovine calves. The pericardial tissue and jugular vein will be removed from the calves upon slaughter and sent to the Sri Chitra Thirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology where the heart valves will be made.  

Less cattle thefts in Missouri

A task force designed to lessen the amount of cattle thefts in the state of Missouri has helped, but Gov. Matt Blunt says cattle rustling is still a problem for his state. At a meeting with ranchers, Blunt said indications were that rustling was decreasing and the task force of state and local law enforcement has led to 26 arrests and the recovery of 126 cattle since it was created in February 2006. 

E-fficient cattle feeding

A handy new website, www.feedsandfeeding.com, has been created by Amarillo, TX-based Forty-Five Cattle to help large cattle ranches find realistic and cost-effective feeding options.  

Pass the sauce

A truck carrying 50,000 pounds of ribs went up in flames after the brake system caught fire on Highway 80 south of Chicago. The drive was uninjured, but the meat was cooked – literally.    

    compiled by Bailey Naugle & Codi Vallery