Agriculture Secretary Vilsack announced today that USDA will develop a new, flexible framework for animal disease traceability in the United States, and undertake several other actions to further strengthen its disease prevention and response capabilities.

The annual Cattle Industry Convention concluded tover the weekend with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) board of directors meeting and annual membership meeting. During the meetings, members voted on leadership and policies to ensure the organization’s success in 2010. More than 6,000 people attended this year’s convention in San Antonio, TX.

In Joplin, MO, this week, compared to the prior week’s sale, steers under 600 lbs. sold steady to $2 lower, steers over 600 lbs. were steady to $1 higher. Heifers under 600 lbs. traded steady to $2 higher, heifers over 600 lbs. sold steady to $1 lower.

Friday fed cattle trade in the Southern Plains had yet to develop at mid-afternoon. Last week live sales, in the Texas Panhandle, sold at $86. In Kansas live cattle sold at $85 and dressed cattle sold at $134.50. In Nebraska trade has been slow on moderate to good demand. Compared to Thursday, the latest established market, dressed cattle sold steady to $1 from $137 to $138 and live cattle have sold .50 to $1 higher from $84 to $85.