MEAT MARKET RADIO SPOT
In March and April 2005, CCCW ran a number of RADIO ADS throughout southeastern New Mexico.
Click Here to listen to "Meat Market" Version I
or Click Here to listen to "Meat Market" Version II
What the Ad Says:
The dairy industry claims it likes New Mexico because of our climate and our "dairy friendly" attitude. Are we "dairy friendly?" Or just "dairy dumb?"
Once You Know the REAL FACTS, You Might Not Feel So FRIENDLY.
The dairy industry is flocking to New Mexico, leaving regions like the Chino Valley in California and the Bosque River region of Texas, leaving behind waste and environmental catastrophes.
Did you know that these dairy cows are sold for meat after about 3 years of milk production? About 1/3 of the herd is culled each year.
Just think about the impact this has on our beef and cattle producers as this meat enters the market. How much does this cost them?
We care about New Mexico and its water. Call us. We can help.
Message sponsored by Concerned Citizens for Clean Water. 505-687-3044 or online at www.SaveOurWaterSupply.org. Join today!
Just the Facts, Ma'am:
Learn more about dairy herd culling by Clicking HERE and Clicking HERE.
Read the March 22, 2001 Testimony of WYTHE WILLEY, PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL CATTLEMEN'S BEEF ASSOCIATION before Congress:
"Mr. Chairman, I would like to focus on the dairy industry briefly. The senior members of the committee are familiar with the challenges faced by the beef and dairy industry over the years. Nonetheless, for the benefit of the newer members of the committee I would like to touch on a few historical episodes.
"The NCBA and our predecessor organization, the NCA, has typically taken a hands off approach to dairy policy as it relates to the entire dairy pricing system.
However, 6% to10% of dairy revenues comes from sales of cattle and calves for beef.
"Dairy cows make up nearly half of the total cow slaughter and can have a tremendous impact on the beef industry.
"In 1986, the USDA mishandled a dairy buyout, or a dairy termination program (DTP) that was part of the 1985 farm bill. The buyout cost the government $1.8 billion in payments to entice dairy producers to exit the business for a minimum of five years. Of that total, $677 million were collected from assessments on dairy producers. An additional $400 million was allocated and spent to subsidize beef exports and other programs to help mitigate impacts of the DTP on the beef industry. This ill- conceived program flooded the beef market and in short was an unmitigated disaster to the beef industry.
"Prices for fed cattle declined nearly $6/cwt.during the first week as futures markets declined by maximum limit moves for three consecutive days then an additional $1/cwt. on the fourth day. Prices for fed cattle remained $5-$7/cwt. below previous year levels for at least 6 months after implementation of the program. Prices for calves and yearling cattle declined by $10 - $15/cwt. as lower prices for fed cattle and general confusion and uncertainty in the marketplace were factored into lower prices paid by feedlots.
"In all the dairy buyout cost the beef industry upwards of $1 billion during 1986 and early 1987.
"The dairy buyout was added to the 1985 farm bill in conference and USDA made a series of blunders in its implementation that were documented in subsequent Congressional hearings. There were lawsuits and oversight hearings. Some people would like to forget this fiasco, but if you say "dairy" to some cattle producers, they'll say "buyout."
"NCBA and the beef industry learned some valuable lessons in 1986 about the potential impacts and unintended consequences on the beef industry from supply management programs in dairy or other commodities and will not allow a program of this type to ever occur again.
"From time to time, various dairy supply proposals arise that are not as objectionable as the 1986 dairy buyout. However, their effect could be the same.
NCBA will keep a cautious eye on any proposal that could lead to more dairy cattle going to market than would otherwise occur under normal market driven conditions. The dairy industry is an important part of the beef industry and beef production is an important product of the dairy industry as cull cows and veal calves ultimately end up in the food chain. "We want dairy producers to be profitable, but not at beef producers' expense and not because government programs determined who would be winners and who would be losers."
