The report was produced by the ususal universities with a cast that most everyone in the cattle and beef industry is familiar with. The report was funded by USDA. The report suggests that if beef producers do not adopt a full traceability system with at least a 90 percent compliance rate, we could lose $13.

Last week, the boxed beef cutout rallied around $10 from the previous week based on lower processing numbers. Cattle sold at $86 two weeks ago and moved up to $89- 90 on the cash market last week, which should put some profit back in the picture for both cattle feeders and packers.

Cattle markets are moving a little better; fed cattle trade was up to $85 last week and feeder cattle are a bit stronger. Grass fever should be adding a few bucks to the calf market soon, if it isnt already in some areas. With the summer high-demand grilling season around the corner, it will be interesting how consumers respond to beef prices.

What has the Cattlemen's Beef Board (CBB) done for you lately? As much as they possibly can, would be the answer. With cattle prices trading on the low end of the modern trading spectrum, it's assuring to know that CBB is still keeping beef in front of consumers.

There is only one way to phrase the nature of the congressional aggression over the AIG bonus situation last week: ?out of control.? The House of Representatives voted to pass a targeted tax on AIG employees who received bonuses. But it didn?t appear that the Senate wanted anything to do with the issue.

I have been traveling to bull sales the past few weeks and it is stunning how well the breeding bull market is going. Most operators are selling a lot of volume at good prices. I think having a $75-80 slaughter bull market last summer helped these bull sales in a big way.

It?sabsurd that Congress is dealing with a bill to ban the slaughter of horses in the U.S. Honestly, who are we to regulate what the rest of the world eats and desires, just because they are pets to some people and they can?t stand the thought of...

Right now, its hard not to be overwhelmed by our governments actions. Last week was about the budget deficit; the week prior was about the housing and bank bailout.

Cattle futures took a beating the day after Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced he was going to ask the packing industry to voluntarily tighten up the regulations on Country of Origin Labeling (COOL).

I suppose big problems require big solutions, at least that?s what the political world seems to think. Seven hundred eighty-nine billion dollars for an economic stimulus bill that is built on a hope and a prayer is pretty amazing. This piece of wisdom passed in less than a week without any real debate.