Date: 9/13/2011

Title: Beltway Beef Audio News

We are starting another busy week. As you know, Congress is back in full force and there is no shortage of work to be done on behalf of cattlemen and women.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA) made a big announcement today releasing a policy document declaring six additional strains of non-O157 STECs, including O26, O45, O103, O111, O121 and O145, as adulterants. The agency announced it will require the industry to begin testing beef trim for these six non-O157 STEC strains on March 5, 2012. NCBA Executive Director of Legislative Affairs Kristina Butts said the beef industry is committed to producing, delivering and serving safe, wholesome and healthful beef products to consumers in the United States and abroad.

I also visited with Kristina about two major hearings taking place tomorrow. First off, the House Committee on Agriculture’s Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry is hosting a hearing on feed availability. She said the hearing comes on the heels of a U.S. Department of Agriculture World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates report, which stated this year’s corn crop is expected to be 417 million bushels lower leaving tighter corn supplies. The other hearing NCBA is watching is regarding overregulation hosted by the House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. She said USDA's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration's proposed rule on livestock marketing will be a top topic of conversation at the hearing.

  http://soundcloud.com/beltway-beef/beltway-beef-commentary-4">Beltway Beef Commentary - EColi - Feed Availability - GIPSA (9-13-2011) by http://soundcloud.com/beltway-beef">Beltway Beef