GRSB Connect for July 16, 2014 |
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Dear GRSB Member, You will note this week the story that Richard Branson has stopped eating beef, to which he is partial, as a concession to the environment. Note too the response by Fawn Jackson of Canadian Cattlemen's Association. Sustainability News Richard Branson Gives Up BeefDateline: 07/14/14, Source: By Amanda Brodhagen, FarmsVirgin Group billionaire Richard Branson announced on his blog recently that he's decided to eliminate red meat, in particular beef, from his diet. He explains that his decision was made out of concern for the environment, citing statistics around meat consumption contributing to factors such as global warming and environmental degradation. Food Hero: Will Harris, Sustainable Livestock Producer Winner of the Growing Green Awards 2014Dateline: 06/30/14, Source: FoodtankEvery year, the Growing Green Awards honor exceptional leaders and innovators committed to sustainable food and agriculture. Hosted by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Berkeley Food Institute (BFI) in San Francisco, the 2014 awards have been given to four individuals chosen among hundreds of other candidates across the United States. Winners have been awarded in four categories: Sustainable Livestock Producer, Sustainable Food and Farm Educator, Pollinator Protector, and Regional Food Leader. Sustainability Means Building Better BrandsDateline: 07/06/14, Source: By Andrew Norris, Stock Journal, AU"The longer we continue to slaughter our breeding herd, the better the outlook for prices when the market turns around." While this is a correct reflection of the fundamentals driving our beef prices, it is also a false economy for long–term, sustainable profitability. Livestock Industry's Sustainability Role HighlightedDateline: 06/26/14, Source: The Beef SiteA clear message that livestock production in Scotland deserves recognition for its valuable sustainability role, has come from Jim McLaren, Chairman of Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), at the Royal Highland Show.During a presentation attended by Paul Wheelhouse, Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Mr McLaren warned that in the drive to lower emissions it was vital to avoid any "knee jerk, quick win" measures which would simply result in reduced output. "The red meat industry, and ruminant production systems in particular, are regularly in the firing line when climate change is discussed," observed Mr McLaren. EFRA Calls for Robust Approach to Food SecurityDateline: 07/02/14, Source: By Ed Bedington, Meat Info UKIf the UK is going to handle issues such as extreme weather and increased global food demand, government must focus responsibility onto one department, and that should be Defra, according to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA). Launching a report on food production, supply and food security, committee chair Anne McIntosh said: "Complacency is a genuine risk to future UK food security. If we want our food production and supply systems to be secure, government and food producers must plan to meet the impacts of climate change, population growth and increasing global demand for food." Beef Summit Highlights Industry ChallengesDateline: 07/02/14, Source: Farming UKYesterday's Beef Summit, held in London, has identified the challenges that face a sustainable beef industry, but now action is needed to make it happen, according to NFU Cymru's President, Stephen James. The NFU's calls for a voluntary code of practice concentrating on notice periods and transparency of terms and conditions were recognised during the Summit. Speaking after the meeting, NFU Cymru President Stephen James said the details of this code of practice now needed to be clarified between the trade and the NFU in a matter of weeks before reporting back to the Westminster Government Minister. Members In The News 'Sustainable' Beef a Golden OpportunityDateline: 07/08/14, Source: By Alexis Kienlen, Alberta FarmerThey're still trying to nail down what it means, but Canada is at the forefront when it comes to the global effort to create "sustainable" beef, according to the head of the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef. "You guys are rocking when it comes to sustainability," said Cameron Bruett. "You're doing a fantastic job." Beef Sustainability Benchmark Study to Be Ready by FallDateline: 07/01/14, Source: By Glenn Cheater, Alberta FarmerInitial results of a project to benchmark the sustainability of the Canadian beef industry will be presented this fall at its annual general meeting, the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef has announced. JBS Takes Stake in Andrews MeatDateline: 07/09/14 Source: The Land AULeading meat processor JBS Australia has purchased a majority shareholding in NSW–based Andrews Meat, in a move designed to expand retail opportunities for JBS and supply for Andrews. Tyson Foods (TSN) to Acquire Hillshire (HSH) for $63/ShareDateline: 07/02/14, Source: Street InsiderTyson Foods (NYSE: TSN) and The Hillshire Brands Company (NYSE: HSH) announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Tyson Foods will acquire all outstanding shares of Hillshire Brands for $63 per share. The all–cash transaction is valued at approximately $8.55 billion, including Hillshire Brands' outstanding net debt. In addition, Tyson Foods will be making, on behalf of Hillshire Brands, a payment of the $163 million termination fee associated with the termination of Hillshire Brands' merger agreement with Pinnacle Foods Inc. (NYSE: PF). The board of directors of Hillshire Brands has accepted the notice of termination received from Pinnacle Foods and the previously announced transaction has been terminated. Our Members
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To read the entire source article, click on the link in the headline.Welcome to the Table! We Welcome The Newest Member to the Roundtable Dateline: July 2014Mt Brisbane Pastoral CompanyConstituency: ProducerMt Brisbane station covers 4,500 hectares of undulating country situated in the Brisbane Valley, west of Brisbane in Queensland, Australia. In 1893 the McConnel family was appointed as managers and later partners. They purchased the property outright in 1914 and have been on Mt Brisbane ever since. Originally a bullock fattening operation they began breeding and fattening from the 1960's. The breeding of purebred Droughtmasters was started in the 1970's. Global News Young Beef Producers Want Greater Consumer FocusDateline: 07/02/14, Source:ABC Rural AUA group of Northern Territory cattle producers are preparing to become the future leaders of their industry. So who are they, and how do they hope to shape the northern beef sector? Changing Landscape of Beef IndustryDateline: 07/01/14, Source: By Bethany Johnston, Drovers CattleNetworkRanchers and beef producers listened to the report and changed how they were doing business. Back in 1991, the National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA), injection site lesions were a major concern for the beef industry. When participants responded to "visual characteristics" on the audit, problems that showed up 20 years ago were not mentioned. Injection site lesions did not appear to be evident problems in the 2011 Beef Quality Audit. Muscling No Impact on ProductivityDateline: 07/03/14, Source: By Nick Heydon, The Land, AUDespite perceptions held for years high muscling may compromise productivity in breeding cows, the research conducted by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has demonstrated cattle with high muscling did not suffer productivity losses but were rather at an advantage given better saleyard returns for cattle with a higher muscle score. Indonesia Aims to Rely Less on Cattle Imports from AustraliaDateline: 07/05/14, Source:By Michael Safi, The GuardianBoth Indonesia's presidential candidates have promised the country will rely less on Australian cattle imports, in the final debate before polling booths open on Wednesday. Answering a question about Indonesia's beef prices, which are among the highest in the world, former military commander Prabowo Subianto said the country's domestic cattle industry needed to be strengthened. Setter Takes the Reins at Consolidated Pastoral CompanyDateline: 07/08/14, Source: ABC Rural AUConsolidated Pastoral Company (CPC), Australia's largest privately owned beef producer, has appointed a new CEO following the shock exit of Keith Warren. Troy Setter will take over immediately from Mr Warren, who has resigned for family reasons after less than a year with the company. CPC run 360,000 head of cattle across 5.6 million hectares in Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. Waitrose Raises Minimum Beef Cattle Price to £3.45 a KiloDateline: 7/07/14, Source: By Kevin White, The Grocer UKWaitrose has increased the minimum price it will pay for British beef cattle to £3.45 per kilo, and said it will guarantee the new price until 1 October. India's Boneless Buffalo Meat Exports FlourishDateline: 07/07/14, Source:By Poorna Rodrigo, Global Meat NewsIndia's boneless buffalo meat exports continue to soar, while the new BJP–led government, whose Hindu nationalist leaders have signalled opposition to India's beef industry in the past, have yet to indicate plans to restrict the sub–sector. Beef Summit Overlooks the Short Term IssuesDateline: 07/12/14, Source:Farming LifeNorthern Ireland's beef farmers have been left disappointed following DEFRA's beef summit last week as figure heads merely glossed over the immediate issue of farm gate beef prices in favour of discussing more medium to longer term issues such as: a potential voluntary code of conduct between farmers and processors; better promotion of Red Tractor by retailers; and investigating further export opportunities for UK beef. Beef Summit: Farmers and Processors to Work on Industry CodeDateline: 07/01/14, Source: By Charlie Taverner, Farmers Weekly UKFarmers and meat processors agreed to draw up a voluntary code of conduct for the beef industry at a government–led summit. Representatives from the farming unions and the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) will meet over the summer to discuss a code to increase transparency. What Could Climate Change Mean for Agriculture?Dateline: 07/14/14, Source: The Beef SiteWorld agriculture must create short and long term adaptation strategies to cope with climate change accelerating the water cycle.This is the finding of an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report that sees rainfall periods being longer and more intense in the years to come. The recent paper Impact of Climate Change on the Water Cycle and Implications for Agriculture has tipped higher latitude areas for more rain in winter and summer. Drier summer weather is expected for mid-latitude and subtropical areas. News We Can Use If you have news to share with the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef membership, please send it to polly.welden@grsbeef.org |
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