http://www.cattlenetwork.com/drovers/departments/issues-that-matter RSS Feed for Issues That Matter en-us Thu, 11 Apr 2013 10:40:00 GMT http://www.cattlenetwork.com/drovers/departments/issues-that-matter/Issues-that-Matter-COOL---its-back-202333051.html It’s been more than a decade since mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) for meat products turned up in the 2002 Farm Bill, and the issue remains as contentious as ever. http://www.cattlenetwork.com/drovers/departments/issues-that-matter/Know-your-genetics-companies-195631781.html The science and application of DNA testing and genomic-enhanced selection in beef cattle continues to advance. Recent changes in the two major companies offering genomics services, however, could create some confusion. http://www.cattlenetwork.com/drovers/departments/issues-that-matter/Warm-dry-spring-is-Forecast-195631561.html A developing La Niña in the Pacific Ocean could provide favorable conditions for a return of drought to the Central Plains in 2013. http://www.cattlenetwork.com/drovers/departments/issues-that-matter/Expect-high-prices-low-returns-195631211.html Prices for all cattle and calves are expected to remain strong throughout 2013, with analysts predicting prices to set new record highs this spring. http://www.cattlenetwork.com/drovers/departments/issues-that-matter/McDonalds-lets-Aussies-TrackMyMaccas-188115251.html Consumers want to know where their food comes from, and - in Australia at least - McDonald's is utilizing cutting-edge technology to identify farmers, ranchers, fishermen and other suppliers. http://www.cattlenetwork.com/drovers/departments/issues-that-matter/Ascent-of-the-chicken-wing-188274491.html Beef really needs a chicken-wing equivalent. http://www.cattlenetwork.com/drovers/departments/issues-that-matter/Issues-that-Matter-COOL-confusion-186207181.html Does mandatory country-of-origin labeling increase consumer demand for U.S. beef? R-CALF USA believes it does. http://www.cattlenetwork.com/drovers/departments/issues-that-matter/Voters-reject-Proposition-37-and-Measure-5-177637551.html Voters in California and North Dakota rejected two ballot initiatives that were opposed by agriculture groups. Both measures generated interest from far outside those states from food advocates and animal rights activists. http://www.cattlenetwork.com/drovers/departments/issues-that-matter/Farm-employment-wages-increase-180030431.html The number of workers hired on U.S. farms and ranches increased this summer and fall, as did their wages compared with the same periods a year ago. According to a recent Farm Labor report from USDA, there were 872,000 workers hired directly by farm operators during the week of Oct. 7 to 13, 2012, up more than 5 percent from the same week in October 2011. http://www.cattlenetwork.com/drovers/departments/issues-that-matter/Farmland-prices-boom-or-bubble-179572551.html Can the trend in farm and ranch real estate prices continue? A new report from the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research examines current patterns in the price of U.S. land.