03/09/05 Fifty years Part one

Fifty Years I Sometimes it is good to look back to see how far an industry has come forward. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be right back with some facts. The beef industry has benefited greatly by research and technology. A report based on a review of technical literature by scientists Dr. Rodney Preston and Dr. Thomas Elam called "Fifty Years of Pharmaceutical Technology and its Impact on the Beef We Provide to Consumers" cites progress the beef industry has made. Now while the title is about as dry as our range will be if we don't get some rain, the facts are interesting. Here are some of the changes since 1955: --Average growth rate: 2.2 pounds per day in 1955 to 3.5 pounds per day in 2004. --Carcass fat: 35% in 1955 verses 27% in 2004. --Pounds of fed beef produced per acre of corn: 470 pounds in 1955 up to 1,510 pound in 2004, even though 26% more corn is fed in today's rations. --Per Capita beef consumption: 61 pounds in 1955 compared to 65 pounds in 2004. --Consumer cost per pound of beef, adjusted for inflation: 26% less today. Overall beef production per animal has increased 80% in 50 years due to many advanced technologies some of which are antibiotics, parasite control, vaccines, genetics, nutrition, and USDA disease and parasite eradication programs. Tomorrow, a look at the technologies from a different view. I'm Jeff Keane. Western Farmer- Stockman February 2005