Slaughter classes steady to 2  lower . Calves and feeder cattle 1 to 2 higher, with some heifers as much as 4 higher. Market continues to be very active on stronger demand.  . Fed cattle coming out of the western feedlots last week stronger again with a high of 95.50. Beef exports are up and imports are down, and demand is improving here at home. Quality is and always will be the main factor determining what our cattle bring at market. Use good bulls. Eat more BEEF and make sure it is AMERICAN BEEF.

Thanks, Ed.

                                           NEXT REPLACEMENT COW SALE FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, @ 12:00 NOON,

FEATURING COMPLETE DISPERSAL OF CONNER BROTHERS HERD.

Herd consists of 100 3-in-1 pairs and approximately 125 bred cows, most are black with many being Brangus, and several good reds and yellows with some ear. Outstanding herd.

Other dispersals include:

160- good young black cows, 60 with calves at side and balance heavy bred.

182- cows, 150 are black and balance Charolais cross or reds, 128 with calves at side, lots of 3 in 1 pairs, 1- Black Simmental, 3- Angus and 1- Hereford bulls.

25- outstanding Semi-Angus heifers, most are F-1, all are heavy bred to low birth weight Angus bulls. These heifers are all home raised from one herd.

29- bred cows, mostly Angus.

                                NATIONAL ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM UPDATE

      USDA has scrapped the original N A I S plan after hearing from producers, market operators and several  industry groups at 15 listening sessions held around the U. S. A.   R-CALF USA has been very much involved in this issue from the start, as the proposed plan would have been very detrimental to most producers, and the industry . USDA wants to implement a new plan with input from producer groups, (R-CALF will be at every meeting speaking for us), and other industry groups. The new plan should be voluntary and producer friendly. If you would like more information on R-CALF or would like to join, call me. R-CALF needs our help to continue looking out for us.

     WE NOW HAVE THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN AFFIDAVITS AVAILABLE:

In order to comply with the Country of Origin Labeling (C.O.O.L) rules and regulations, all you have to do is sign and date the affidavit stating that all of your cattle are bred, born and raised in The U.S.A., and we will file it in our computer. This is a one time thing, once you sign, it is done. NO PREMISES REGISTRATION OR ANIMAL I. D. TAGS.

                          DO NOT let the tag companies, certain cattlemens organizations, or some government officials scare you into believing that you must have premises identification in order to comply with mandatory Country of Origin Labeling, (COOL). Undersecretary of Agriculture Bruce Knight has stated that a signed affidavit from producers is all that is needed to sell your cattle after the implementation of COOL. Neither Premises ID nor individual animal ID are mandatory, although there are those who would have you believe otherwise. Also, when you accept premises ID, you are giving up some of your Constitutional Rights, including Private Property Rights.

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