New Oklahoma Beef Processing Plant Might Bog Down Beef Market Dynamics

Smithfield Foods has planned a new beef plant for Texas County, OK. The plant is scheduled to open in mid-2008. This new addition is likely to offset where other beef plants buy cattle. Market forecasters warn that this might raise cattle prices and increase beef processing ability in the area. According to a research report from Credit Suisse, the plant should be able to process 5,000 head a day on a double shift for a total of 1.3 million head of cattle per year. To read the full Dow Jones Newswire article click here.

Beginning Farmers Can Receive Help and Guidance from the National Farm Transition Network

There are new Longhorn breeders coming into the industry everyday. Often they are accomplished business people who have seen the potential in Texas Longhorns, but a little help can go a long way when in the early stages of a Longhorn breeding program. The National Farm Transition Network (NFTN) is focused on providing owners of livestock and farm land with knowledge about state programs and information designed to help new farmers be successful crop after crop. To read more about this group see the article from American Cowman.com.

To visit the NFTN’s Web site click here.

Cattle Rustling News:

Charges Made in Cattle Ruslting Case Near Houston

The Chambers County Sheriff Joe LaRive has charged Larry Dean Fulton, 49, with two counts of livestock theft. Fulton, who had at one time been informally employed by the county to round up stray livestock, had reportedly stolen 12 cattle from one rancher. Investigators had found that Fulton had sold at least two animals at an auction barn on October 4. Read the full story on The Baytown Sun Web site.

Gasoline Thefts Linked to Cattle Rustling in Tennessee

According to media reports more than just cattle have been rustled from ranchers in Central Tennessee. Gasoline was being stolen from storage tanks at service stations along Interstate 65. Mark Robert Carter, 29, was arrested for stealing gasoline from service stations on October 11, 2006, during his interrogation he confessed to stealing cattle as well. Read the full story on the Shelbyville Times-Gazette Web site.

E-Trails Note: Send your interesting news and ideas to - Cole@tlbaa.org.

-Cole Dowden