The American Society of Animals Sciences (ASAS) recently prepared a white paper series entitled Grand Challenges 2012. It can be downloaded as a pdf and is an important read for animal producers and those interested in what lies ahead in terms of animal agriculture. The direct link for downloading is: http://asas.org/docs/public-policy/gc_pages_web.pdf?sfvrsn=0. I've extracted the introduction below so you'll have a clear understanding of the basis for the series.

"Never before have producers of animal-based food products faced so many challenges and opportunities. Global demand for animal protein is increasing in response to both population growth and the improving financial status of people in many developing countries. Simultaneously, land and water available for livestock production is decreasing and climate variability is increasing. Costs of feedstuffs have also increased dramatically due, in part, to renewable energy policies that have resulted in competition between bioenergy companies and livestock producers for corn and other carbohydrate-rich grains. In addition, consumer sentiment and associated legislation often govern animal management practices without regard to cost and efficiency of production and cost of food to consumers. 

Though research, innovation and education led to increased crop and livestock production during the twentieth century, experts predict that increases in efficiency of animal production will need to be greater during the next 40 years than ever before to meet the increased global demand for animal-based products by 2050. As ASAS enters its second century, our society must continue to be the world leader as the source of scientific information on animal well-being and the contributions of animals to human health. To deal with the many contributions of animals to society, ASAS recognizes the need to facilitate effective communication among academia, industry, government agencies, consumers and other stakeholders to reach consensus regarding science-based issues affecting animal production. The Grand Challenge documents were prepared to clearly articulate our priorities, to provide science-based information for shaping public policy, and to enhance future funding for research and education programs in animal science."

There's a new guidebook for California folks looking for capital to start a new business or help fund a present one. The following announcement came via USDA:

Access to Capital, offers an all-in-one resource for anyone seeking capital, in a straightforward, easy to use format. The document was created by the California Financial Opportunities Roundtable (CalFOR) with support from a Rural Business Enterprise Grant from USDA Rural Development. It is part of a statewide initiative supporting development of regional industry clusters to provide jobs, entrepreneurial opportunities, business growth, public and private sector investment in value-chain infrastructure and sustainable communities throughout California. To download a copy of the complete document visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/Reports/CA-CalFOR.pdf.

The results of the checkoff-funded 2011 National Beef Quality Audit were presented last week at the Cattle Industry Summer Conference in Denver, CO. Conducted every five years since 1991, the audit assesses progress the industry makes on a variety of production issues that ultimately affect consumer demand for beef. Extensive enhancements were made to the traditional NBQA design to provide the industry with direction on factors beyond the physical characteristics of beef, such as food safety, sustainability, animal well-being, and the disconnect between agricultural producers and consumers. Click here to download a copy of the NBQA Executive Summary or visit www.bqa.org for more information.

Source: Beef Checkoff

The following is a repost from the American Sheep Industry Weekly.

Demand for locally sourced products in the United States has increased in recent years, but producers often claim that a lack of slaughter facilities is a key reason that it is not expanding more quickly, writes Chris Harris.

According to a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service, although the share of total U.S. agricultural products sold through local food markets is small - direct-to-consumer sales accounted for 0.4 percent of total agricultural sales in 2007 - it continues to develop.

According to the 2007 Census of Agriculture, direct-to-consumer marketing amounted to $1.2 billion in 2007, compared with $551 million in 1997, a growth of 118 percent, the report, Slaughter and Processing Options and Issues for Locally Sourced Meat by Rachel J. Johnson, Daniel L. Marti and Lauren Gwin said.

The 2007 numbers are the most recent available from the Census of Agriculture, as the 2012 census is currently being carried out.

The percentage of livestock operations selling product directly to consumers or retailers is much smaller than that for other agricultural products. In 2007, only 6.9 percent of livestock operations participated in direct sales, compared with 44.1 percent of all vegetable and melon farms.

The report said that limited slaughter and processing capacity is often cited, particularly by producers, as a key barrier to marketing their meat and poultry locally.

This report looks at the slaughter and processing capacity and options available to livestock producers selling into local markets. Read the report at www.ers.usda.gov/publications/ ldpm-livestock,-dairy,-and-poultry-outlook/ldpm216-01.aspx.