Show December 10 2003 Gunnison Valley NevvsSalina Sun Local cattle producers enjoy record prices - but for how long? The fourth reason k the low feed costs Ha v which was once in short supply is now readily A record corn harvest available Clint Johnson Salina Sunwriter by Record high cattle prices continue in 2003 as experts say this year will go down in history as the best year ever for cattle producers Average steer prices a week ago were at $ t 04 a pound while finished steer prices hit a record $115 in October Cattle producers have waited a long time for cattle prices to climb and allow them to make a profit and pay their bilk Thk looks like the year that will allow them to do just There are many reasons that for the increase in cattle prices The first reason k the discovery of disease in an older cow in Canada Thk case of BSE closed the border between the who also imported much of their supply from Canada When the Canadian market closed Japan increased their imports of US beef This increase in exports further lowered the supply of available beef and the markets soared The third reason was that much of the West has been in a drought for the past five years Ranchers have found it necessary to cut back on the amount of cows that they were able to keep ligh feed costs last year and the unavailability of winter ranges led many cattlemen to cull deep into their herds and cut back on numbers prices to fall to $200 a bushel All of this help feeders pencil in a profit and make decisions that helped bring the price of fats to a level not before seen The fifth and probably most important reason k an increase After in consumer demand many years of hearing how red meat was unhealthy a new trend has developed Beef is suddenly popular again Many of the new US and Canada and stopped the flow of Canadian cattle into The US as a the US market whole received five percent of their beef supply from Canada This caused a shortage of fat cattle for market Packers struggled to find enough cattle to keep their plants running and to meet demand The second reason was an increase in exports The biggest market for beef abroad is Japan caused corn in the diets tout beef as an important part of a healthy lifestyle Consumer demand for beef was up two percent in 2002 and experts believe that at least another two future Replacement heifers will be in big demand as producers try to increase their herds The past few years have seen heifers make up nearly 40 per- cent of federally inspected slaughter animals That trend will most definitely as more heifers are kept on the ranches to build the herds This will also have an impact on the supply of cattle in the short term If the higher prices for beef eventually work their way into the retail sector then demand for beef could fall and thus end the boom Most analysts refuse to speculate on what will happen This k a market that no one has seen before "We're in uncharted territory" said Jim Robb director of the Livestock Marketing Information Center in Denver "Clearly this k a very unique set of market circumstances" Locally Producers Livestock Auction has been affected by the hot cattle market Sylvia Barney and Kris Nielson say that cattlemen are a lot easier to be around these days "People are a lot end One-ma- “A Christmas Carol comes n to area Change your "Bah? Humbug!" to "Hof Ho! Hof with a adaptation of Charles Dickens" A Chrktmas Carol at Gunnison Valley High School on Thursday December II at 7:00 pm and at the Sevier Valley Center on Friday December 12 The star of the Excalibur Hotel's Tournament of Kings Douglas II Baker weaves the story of Scrooge’s transformation with the skill of a master storyteller Baker will also present the Snow College Convocation in the Concert Hall of the Eccles Center for the Performing Arts at 12:30 pm on December 11 Ik lecture demonstrates the power of the performing arts to affect the heart and mind Convocations are free to the public The performances in central Utah are part of a tour that I Las Vegas Phoenix St Cedar City and Logan Baker tackles the popular Chrktmas classic all by himself in a stunning performance rated by the Las Vegas Review Journal He is Scrooge Marley Bob Crachit the three Christmas Ghosts Tiny Tim and a host of He has performed in regional when the hotel opened nearly As Scrooge stock touring companies film fourteen years ago happier than they used to be" other characters Proceeds from these presentacompletes his metamorphosis and television and for six years they said Producers is the largmiser to directed and hosted the Utah tions benefit the hosting faciliest auction in the state and one from Festival’s ties the Gunnison Valley High of the leading auctions throughgenerous celebrant we see that Shakespearean School Theater Department and Christmas has the power to Greenshow and Feast out the Western US Bob Bagley At present he is Professor of the Sevier Valley Center "One manager of the auction said that change us all This play and its message are Theatre at Community College Christmas Cared" takes place on the numbers of cattle have been for the entire family A of Southern Nevada and has reThursday December 11 at 7:00 steady but we have seen all time suitable member of Actors Equity Assocently performed his final show Canadian cattle cross the reconi prices Bagley mentioned pan in Gunnison and on Friday Baker has ciation a of the role in the at December 12 at 7:30 pm in Excalibur if Also the recall time that a boarder then he could when background supand educational Merlin which he originated Richfield Tickets are $500 at the ply of cattle in the US will feeders were this high "But I in professional theater at both venues door We in and fats seen term the never short have tighten eight were slaughtering cattle at 16 to weight cattle prices so strong" 17 months of age Now we are he said "In the last three months we looking at 13 to 14 months The Robert Sorensen have been cerSunny Ostler from Manti and supply of cattle is very current have had very strong prices for mas Gift? low about a memberMost cattlemen have halted black and black baldy heifers Jody Mellor have been hired to tified to teach from the Arthritis ship of Punch Pass from the their culling of cows in their think people are interested in teach the Arthritis classes at the Foundation Aquatic Program Gunnison Valley Swimming herds although cow prices are breeding more replacement heif- Gunnison Valley Swimming and all are eager and ready to Pool! You can buy them now also historically high Most pro- ers this spring" he said Bagley Pool help you feel better Come and and give them to others to use This will allow the classes to check out a class were certain when it’s convenient for them ducers want to keep every cow mentioned that over the past available to them to take advannoticed he has often and at you'll enjoy it many be taught more years for mor Call the Pool at "We are seeing a lot of other times if needed As many tage of the higher market in the changes Looking for a unique Christ information or stop in for a visit the older cattlemen go out of of you know Kathryn Dean of business and those who do stay Manti has been teaching the in have a job on the side to make classes for more than a year things work lopefully this is Kathryn was instrumental in a year that can make our indusAll Sanpete county adults 18 and older are invited to the 2003 getting the Arthritis Program Manti Utah Stake Manti City "Disco Night" New Year's Eve Party try stronger and more healthy" started here in Gunnison Mrs Barney said that she has At the present time Sunny will from 9pm to lam on Wednesday December 31st at the Manti High been amazed at the number of teach a class at 7:30 am on TuesSchool "Old” Gym Admission is free There will be free food & drinks party favors dancing and a consignors Producers get from day and Thursday When more new areas people show an interest in the live floor show Free seating is available but if you would like a Those involved in the beef inArthritis class reserved table seat tickets an' $500 apiece ($40 for an entire table) Jody will teach at 8:00 am All Proceeds will go toward the Manti Swimming Pool Committee dustry hope that good times are here to stay In the short term it three of these Ladies as well as Call John or Diane Keeler for a table seat at or looks good for the industry There are always unforeseen increase in 2003 k reasonable This is the first two year increase in demand since 1975 The million dollar question on the minds of those in the beef industry is how long will the high prices last? Most experts feel that historically high prices will continue on into the first quarter of 2004 but not at the record prices seen last October All eyes are on Canada and when will it be allowed to resume trading of live cattle across the boarder? Most feel that it will be at least March before any percent George Pool Hires 2 more teachers for Arthritis Classes Manti invites communities to celebrate New Year things that could cause the gixxl times to come crashing down But for now cattlemen are nally enjoying a year where they can pay the bills IMNEEsA -- DrRichard L Barnett CDS BRINGING OUR BRACES tr V I"’ m T?GD OnOW TJL" J d1 Crfh'-MontS- Barnett es QOSC B38 BrwsBv pRAClM $ nietfwa TO YOUR PLACES !! Come See Us For A Complimentary Consultation in the Brace Caboose! 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