November 20, 2003

 

Proposed Final Rule for COOL Explained by Author

Recently, USDA released its proposed rule to implement mandatory country of origin labeling, which is scheduled to go into effect on Sept. 30, 2004. The proposed rule is 203 pages detailing its implications to producers, processors and marketers of many commodities including beef.

Barry Carpenter of the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service in Washington, D.C., is considered to be the lead author of the proposed rule. He is scheduled to address cattlemen and industry leaders during the Bovine Connection scheduled Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 2 and 3 at the Williston International Airport Inn. He will explain what cattle producers must do to maintain auditable records to ensure products labeled as U.S. products were actually born, raised and slaughtered in the U.S. He will also review research on country of origin labeling's likely impact on demand.

This year’s Bovine Connection will include an evening session devoted solely to cattle markets, situations and outlook. Jim Robb, Director of the Livestock Marketing Information Center at Lakewood, Colo., will present his analysis of the market, impact for less restrictions on Canadian beef imports and a national cattle identification program. Tim Petry, NDSU Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist, will share his thoughts regarding a national animal identification program, impacts of opening the Canadian border to beef imports and the application of country of origin labeling to the ranch.

The marketing theme of the first day’s program involves several speakers who either produce or actively participate in the cattle market. Producers involved include Bruce Durheim, Ellendale; Tucker Hughes, Stanford, Mont.; and Gene Harris, Killdeer. Other speakers sharing the afternoon program include Jeff Rudolph of Hi_Gain Feedlot, Cozad, Neb.; Tim Larson, Prewitt & Co.; Kirby Krebsbach, Sitting Bull Auction and John Patersen, Extension Livestock Specialist at Montana State University. They will also discuss profit opportunities.

Other topics of interest include trends in the beef industry, economic effect of calf health practices, calf vaccination programs, parasite control and performance, effect of calf health on feedlot gain and carcass quality, biosecurity, and making money with cows. Addressing these topics will be industry leaders such as Larry Corah of the Certified Angus Beef Program, Gerald Stokka of Pfizer Animal Health; William Epperson and Barry Dunn, with South Dakota State University; and Charlie Stoltenow and Ken Odde, with North Dakota State University.

Among the many speakers to be of interest to cattle producers is Temple Grandin, known worldwide for her work in the design of livestock handling facilities and understanding animal behavior. Outside the animal world, she is recognized for her ability to live with autism, a complex neurological disorder that some people are born with and her book AThinking In Pictures.

The Bovine Connection is organized by a committee of Extension agents, area beef producers and Williston agri_businessmen with support and sponsorship by area businesses, district cattlewomen, seedstock producers, the Northwest Beef Task Force and corporate sponsors.

The registration fee is $40 per person or $60 per couple for the two_day event and will include meals featuring new convenient industry beef products and printed proceedings. Collectors of western tack are invited to display saddles, bridles and bits. Detailed information can be obtained by calling the NDSU Extension Service/Williams County at (701) 577_4595 or on the Web at www.ext.nodak.edu/county/williams/bovineconnection.htm 

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Source: Warren Froelich, (701) 572_1717, warren.froelich@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231_6136, richard.mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu