NEWS AND NOTES:
Cattle Industry Convention highlights
View our featured videos and read selected news items from last week's Cattle Industry Convention in San Antonio.
See NCBA special section.Sterling Profit Tracker — Feedyard margins gain, packer margins decline
Cattle feeding margins gained more than $20 per head last week, while packer margins slipped back into the red.
Full story.
Doane's Market Outlook — Feb. 4
Cattle futures closed mixed on Wednesday. Firm beef prices at midday and ideas of steady cash trade compared to last week helped support front end contracts.
Full story.
Buying local
New survey results show more shoppers buying food that is locally produced, fair trade or certified for animal-welfare standards.
Full story.USDA funds livestock research
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture has announced $24 million in grants to study animal heath, reproduction, breeding, genetics and nutrition.
Full story.Smaller inventory, improving prices
The smallest herd inventory since 1963 suggests improving prices for 2010.
Full story.U.S. ag companies likely to expand
As financial markets recover, a Rabobank report says mergers and acquisitions are likely to increase.
Full story.Sysco CEO: Food deflation 'moderating'
Prices for milk, meat and other foods are expected to climb as the economy improves and deflation that gripped the industry last year moderates.
Full story.Budget includes $40 million for biodefense
President Obama's proposed 2011 budget includes funds for biodefense lab.
Full story.
NCBA structural concept passes by wide margin
NCBA board of directors approved structural changes for a more streamlined organization.
Full story.
Destron Fearing, API team up to fight BVD
Joint program aims to increase the number of animals to be tested for BVD persistent infections.
Full story.
President asks Congress to cut crop subsidies
President Obama asked Congress on Monday to slash crop subsidies to "wealthy farmers" and to pare federal support for crop insurance.
Full story.
