F&R LivestockResource
Spring 2023 | Volume 6, Issue 3
Your direct source for livestock news and information
Published by Farmers & Ranchers Livestock, Salina, Kansas
In this Issue: 1 Sustainability Snapshot, Part 2: Emissions Reporting Battle Brewing The American Hereford Association is conducting collaborative research with Colorado State University, examining genetics relative to methane emissions and nitrogen excretion. Part 2 reveals the complexities and potential government overreach, and often longer term, unintended consequences of attempting to regulate grassroots producers. 8 Set to Climb Most every ag economist and industry analyst confirms leverage is shifting back to the cow-calf sector. Cattle prices are poised to continue increasing this year, due to a dramatic “sell off ” due to drought. Higher input cows and inflation driven volatility will dampen the sector shift. Our thanks to Wes Ishmael and the American Hereford Association for permission to reprint. 14 Slow Go Wes Ishmael’s market report always offers an easy-to-read assessment of the cattle markets. Lingering drought effects, rising input costs, hay shortage and inflation continue to pressure the markets. Supply and demand will win again to the long-awaited benefit of producers. 20 What Feedlots Want K-State University is barreling toward the goal of raising $125 million to build and renovate the College of Agriculture facilities. This infrastructure investment will increase research production, advance agriculture technology, recruit faculty and students and expand partnerships with corporate and governmental partners. 24 Low Finance Try to follow the conversation between a couple of cattle traders Hooter brought together. The moral of the story is Hooter recognizes not investing is often the best strategy.
Sustainability Emissions Reporting Battle Brewing Scope 3 clouds the path for supply chains and their suppliers. By Macy Mueller
Although U.S. agricultural producers continue to make great strides in environmental, social and economic sustainability efforts, today’s farmers and ranchers are being asked to produce more food to sustain a rapidly growing population—recently topping 8 billion—while constantly overcoming a barrage of increasingly burdensome regulations from governmental agencies. The latest is a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rule, proposed in March 2022, requiring U.S.-listed companies to “disclose information about their direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Scope 1) and
indirect emissions from purchased electricity or other forms of energy (Scope 2). In addition, a registrant would be required to disclose GHG emissions from upstream and downstream activities in its value chain (Scope 3), if material or if the registrant has set a GHG emissions target or goal that includes Scope 3 emissions.” The SEC is charged with enforcing rules against market manipulation and ensuring shareholders have the information they need to be wise investors in publicly traded companies. Mary-Thomas Hart, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA)
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