Catch 22 & Beef Consumption Down

Catch 22 & Beef Consumption Down

Catch 22 & Beef Consumption Down plus Food Forethought. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

I like my fruits and veggies but for my money nothing beats a good steak but the average American seems to be eating less red meat and according to USDA Economist, Shayle Shagam, they’ll be paying more for it.

SHAGAM: We look at beef to be the big decline down about 1.3 pounds to to about 56.1 pounds per capita. Pork will be up about .3 of a pound to about 46.1 pounds and broilers will be up about a half pound to about 80.9 pounds per capita during 2013. We do expect to see records in terms of our retail prices for choice beef. Again a record for broiler price and probably about a similar price on the pork side.

Now that marijuana has been made legal in Washington and Colorado, growers face a dilemma. Since it is still illegal in the eyes of the U.S. government, any state agencies are prohibited from offering any kind of advice or assistance. Places like WSU’s Extension Service cannot offer any kind of advice to pot growers on improving their crop. And don’t try just growing it at home as that is banned, but it will be legal to grow pot commercially once state officials establish rules and regulations.

Now with today’s Food Forethought, here’s Lacy Gray.

Bison are quickly becoming a favorite, not only with consumers looking for lean healthy meat choices, but with livestock producers. There are several upsides to raising bison. Bison are disease resistant hardy animals that prefer being left out in the elements, as opposed to being housed in barns or shelters, which has several advantages for producers; less illness, veterinary expense, and death loss. They are a herd animal that have a long productive life, three to four times the life span of cattle, and don’t require daily contact. They also calve without assistance. Bison have been around for a very long time, and have learned to survive and even thrive in most of America’s diverse landscapes. Over the last ten years the consumer demand for bison has more than exceeded the supply. Of course bison’s “hands off” nature also requires more specialized handling methods to ensure the safety of the bison and producers, and it does take a more substantial range fence to prevent escapes. The bison industry has an old saying, “You can chase a buffalo anywhere he wants to go and keep him anywhere he wants to stay”. Bottom line, if bison have adequate feed, water and plenty of space, they will happily stay put, which equals happy bison and happy producers.

Thanks Lacy. That’s today’s Northwest Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.
 

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