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. Mandatory country of origin labeling (mCOOL) marches onAt least for now. The USDA issued its final order on mCOOL effective May 23. Any penalties for not complying will not be imposed for six months. The new regulations are essentially as proposed by USDA. Labeling will be more definitive as to country of birth, raising, and processing.

Cattle grazing and clean water can coexist on national forest lands, according to research by the University of California – Davis. The study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, is the most comprehensive examination of water quality on national forest public grazing lands to date.

External parasites can be costly for cattle producers and getting a handle on problems early can lead to more prosperous and better performing cows.

Three Purdue University agricultural economists agree that another extension of 2008 farm legislation is a distinct possibility following the U.S. House's defeat of the proposed farm bill. Chris Hurt, Otto Doering and Roman Keeney, who closely follow developments of farm legislation, question whether Republican leadership in the House will allow debate on the contents of the farm bill again anytime soon.

Pinkeye has long been a costly nuisance to cattle producers. Eye infections sometimes lead to partial or complete blindness in one or both eyes.

All good stockmen are aware that heat stress can be a problem in livestock as the summer heats up, but not all are aware that other factors can enter the equation besides the thermometer reading. These same factors can be dangerous to the people that handle the livestock as well, but we can do things that help to compensate for the danger.

Cattle and beef markets are still struggling to get on the same page. Fed cattle markets are groping for a summer bottom amidst seasonally large slaughter and beef production. Meanwhile feeder markets appear to have found a bottom after being on the defensive since February. Of course, part of the reason is that fed and feeder markets are looking at different factors at different points in time.

No single breed is best-suited to every production system, every environment or every cattle breeder’s production goals. Crossbreeding can exploit the significant differences in the relative performance of various breeds for economically important traits. A pair of beef genetics specialists offered that reminder to attendees at the 2013 Beef Improvement Federation Research Symposium and Convention in Oklahoma City.