11/04/08 Mechanical meat grading a topic at cattle convention

Washington Ag November 4, 2008 The Washington Cattlemen's Association hold its annual convention next week in Pasco at the Red Lion. After the Pfizer Cattlemen's College on Wednesday, November 12th, WCA executive vice president Jack Field says committee meetings get underway on Thursday the 13th at 8:30 a.m. He says USDA's mechanical meat grading program will be a topic at joint meeting of the Beef Cattle Improvement and Animal Health Committees. Field: "Got a couple of inspectors coming out to brief us on the latest and greatest with the USDA's mechanical meat grading program, as well as getting an update Dr. John Wenz from Washington State University on their recent year's study of BVD surveillance. " After a luncheon update from the Washington Beef Commission Thursday afternoon will feature the joint meeting of the Public Lands and Game Farmer Sportsman Committees where fencing and various governmental jurisdictions will be discussed. There will also be an update on the state's draft wolf management plan and proposals for new wilderness areas. Highlights Friday include calculating your unit cost of production and a report on the availability of credit. Saturday November 15th will be the WCA's annual business meeting. I'm Bob Hoff.