For Immediate Release    
Dec. 18, 2003

Contact: Burt Rutherford

TCFA Announces Top 10 News Stories For 2003 

Cattle feeders are ending a record-setting year and looking forward to 2004 with an optimism that is a welcome change from the past few years, according to Richard McDonald, president & CEO of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA).  Speaking at the annual TCFA Year-End News Conference today in Amarillo , McDonald summarized the year and released the Association's Top 10 news stories in 2003. 

"This has been a great year for cattle feeding and for the economy of Cattle Feeding Country," McDonald said.  "Cattle feeders began the year at a profitable $75 per cwt. for fed cattle, after enduring several years of equity loss.  But several market factors, including strong consumer demand, a good export market and short supplies, created a market in October, November and December that was amazing."  

The industry spent considerable time debating mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) and made headway in delaying implementation of the program so that needed changes can be made.  "The House passed an appropriations bill recently that contains language to delay mandatory COOL for two years.  With a positive Senate vote expected in January, the cattle industry will have the time to develop a voluntary, market driven COOL program that will benefit producers and consumers alike, rather than suffer a costly and highly inefficient government-mandated program," McDonald said.

Here are the news stories that made headlines this year:

Top 10 News Stories in the Cattle Feeding Industry

1.  Record fed cattle prices helped cattle feeders close out the year.  The year began at $75 per cwt. and, in an unprecedented run, prices hit a high of $111 in October.  Robust consumer demand and short supplies were the main factors in this year's market.  

2.  A case of BSE in one Canadian cow affected the entire global beef market.  Firewalls in the U.S. continue to keep the disease out of the United States .    

3.  Country-of-origin labeling was a major issue.  Some cattlemen wanted a government mandated program while many cattlemen wanted a market driven, voluntary program. 

4. The beef checkoff received both favorable and unfavorable court rulings, and the issue of its constitutionality will ultimately be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.  Meanwhile, a majority of cattlemen support the checkoff's work to increase demand. 

5.  Plans for a national individual animal identification system were unveiled.   

6.  Beef exports were up significantly for 2003.  Through the third quarter, beef exports were up 6% in volume and 21% in value over last year.   

7.  A final rule limiting retained water in poultry was announced.  Cattlemen had fought for years to get beef and poultry on a level field regarding retained water.   

8.  The United States filed a case with the World Trade Organization to resolve Mexico 's antidumping actions against U.S. beef.   

9.  Food safety continues as a major industry effort.  NCBA held an E. coli summit to coordinate industry efforts on enhancing food safety in beef.   

10. The CME changed Live Cattle futures contracts several times during the year to better reflect the current market and allow more flexibility in meeting market conditions.   

Top 10 News Stories Around TCFA in 2003

 1.  The TCFA Environmental Services Program won the Texas Environmental Excellence Award for Agriculture from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. 

 2.  TCFA incorporated Animal Care Guidelines in its long-standing Beef Safety and Quality Assurance Program^SM.

 3.  USDA will begin a $4.5 million Livestock and Meat Market Study to analyze market structure and pricing.  TCFA was instrumental in developing the idea for the study and in securing Congressional funding.   

4.  The TCFA Board of Directors approved a dues increase, effective Oct. 1, from 40¢ to 45¢ per head, allowing TCFA to significantly increase services to members and strongly support NCBA.   

5.  The Texas Supreme Court upheld the state's right to farm law.  TCFA helped pass the law in 1981.

 6.  Ag groups, including TCFA, won a major victory when a U.S. District Court in Albuquerque struck down a U.S. Fish and Wildlife rule designating critical habitat for the Arkansas River Shiner. 

 7.  TCFA worked closely with state and federal officials to develop TB regulations for Texas feeder cattle that meet the goals of eradicating the disease in Texas with minimum disruption to cattlemen. 

 8.  TCFA, TSCRA and the Texas Beef Council cooperated in holding Beef Industry Meetings throughout the state to stimulate dialog between cattlemen and industry organizations. 

 9.  The Texas Legislature passed a state checkoff program to be used only as a fall-back in the event the national program is disbanded. 

 10. TCFA staff participated in numerous water policy meetings to protect ownership and use rights. 

[Home] [Back] [Printable Form]