“Desertification is a fancy word for land that is turning to desert,” begins Allan Savory in this quietly powerful talk. And it's happening to about two-thirds of the world’s grasslands, accelerating climate change and causing traditional grazing societies to descend into social chaos.

The Japanese export market has been topping beef industry headlines in recent months. The country’s decision to revise import guidelines to include cattle less than 30 months of age is positive news for U.S. beef demand, but it also brings about changes to age-and-source verification programs.

The big news in the meat industry in recent weeks has involved two of our leading export markets, Russia and China. Neither country allows the production, sale or use of the two beta agonists that are registered for use in the U.S., and in the past few months both have taken steps to enforce their bans on beta agonist residues in imported pork and beef.

If the first week in office is any indication, it's going to be a whirlwind year for Scott George, president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

This newsletter is published by Texas AgriLife Extension and edited by Dr. Stephen Hammack, Professor & Extension Beef Cattle Specialist Emeritus. Browse the sections below to learn about recent hot topics in the cattle industry. New national traceability rulesStarting March 11, 2013, all livestock moved interstate must have an approved method of identification and documentation. Brands, tattoos and brand registration will be accepted as identification, if accepted by the shipping and receiving State or Tribe, along with numerous other methods. 

Voting is now open for the 2013 Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame. From the five nominees, two inductees will be announced during the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame banquet this summer in Denver. Click here to vote.

Agricultural Modeling and Training Systems, developer of ruminant nutrition modeling software, has announced the addition of a new software platform, AMTS.Cloud, and has updated the version of their nutrition software, AMTS.Cattle.Professional to version 3.4.4.

Fat Red Couch, a developer of family-friendly apps, has released a new interactive children's app about a dancing Ayrshire cow. The story, titled "Prancing, Dancing Lily," was inspired by author Marsha Diane Arnold’s childhood growing up on a dairy farm.

The outlook for a new farm bill, and a better safety net for dairy farmers, will be one of the key sessions at the upcoming National Dairy Producers Conference April 7-9 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The conference, open to dairy farmers from across the country, will provide an in-depth discussion of the issues facing the dairy industry, with educational discussions on topics ranging from farm policy to immigration reform to agricultural finance.

Minnie Ward Calf and Heifer Consultant – Animal Health Products Accelerated Genetics