Watch Cattlemen to Cattlemen Week 12; Original Air Date: Tuesday, April 24, 2007

In this week’s episode of NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen, we follow NCBA President John Queen to Capitol Hill for his testimony before House and Senate committees on the issue of livestock industry structure and competition. Queen emphasized to lawmakers the importance of minimizing government interference in the marketing of livestock, which allows cattlemen to pursue the best possible return and to manage their operations in the way they see fit.

A few weeks have passed since USDA’s prospective plantings report was issued. That report projected 90.5 million acres of corn – about 12 million more than last year. Jim Robb, director of the Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC), joins host Susie Ross to discuss how spring plantings are actually progressing, and what impact this situation could have on the cattle market. For further information from LMIC, visit www.lmic.info.

Reporter Kevin Ochsner takes us to the Colorado Climate Center at Colorado State University, where climatologist Nolan Doesken discusses the many variables and difficulties of forecasting summer weather patterns and drought conditions. For more information, visit http://ccc.atmos.colostate.edu. Or to join the network of volunteers who help monitor precipitation, visit: www.cocorahs.org.

The Cattle Learning Center travels to Texas, where veterinarians Glenn Rogers and Arn Anderson conduct diagnostic tests on some bulls being sold by a client as part of the buyer’s overall herd health plan. Rogers, of Pfizer Animal Health, and Anderson, of Cross Timbers Veterinary Hospital, also discuss the importance of having a working relationship with a veterinarian who understands your operation and herd health needs. Click here for more tips on creating a herd health plan.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association includes two very distinct divisions: the Policy Division and the Federation of State Beef Councils Division. Policy Chairman Steve Foglesong of Illinois and Federation Chairman Gary Voogt of Michigan join Susie in studio to explain their roles in NCBA’s organization.

WE NEED YOUR PHOTOS!

This week’s Legacy Photos segment pays tribute to Man’s Best Friend with a look at some great farm and ranch dogs!

Please send us photos of your operation. We’re looking for photos of farm and ranch women and their families for our upcoming Mother’s Day Tribute, as well as photos from the branding season. But all farm and ranch photos are welcome, so send yours today to C2C@beef.org. Don’t forget to include your name, location, and any details about your operation.