WSU gets USDA grant for organic research; Beef industry profitability
Washington Ag Today October 26, 2011 Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan has announced 23 new grants to research and extension programs working to help organic producers and processors grow and market high quality organic products. Washington State University is one of the recipients. It is getting nearly 746-thousand dollars for a project to research management practices that integrate cover crops, tillage practices, organic amendments and livestock to improve soil quality, utilize nitrogen more efficiently and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from soil and farm machinery. Beef cattle prices are at historic highs but USDA livestock analyst Shayle Shagum says that doesn’t mean everyone in the industry is making money. Shagum: “Packer margins are negative. They are having to pay more for the cattle than they are getting for the by-product credit, for the whole sale meat and the by-products. The feedlots are probably losing money at this particular point, having to pay more for cattle and feed.” Shagum says it may be a mixed picture for cow-calf operators. Shagum: “Cow-calf operators who have grass are probably doing well, but those who are having to pay for forage are probably being squeezed.” The USDA’s Hay and Feed Grain price index for the last month was 62% higher than a year ago. I’m Bob Hoff and that’s Washington Ag Today on Northwest Aginfo Net. ?
