Released August 11, 2008
AMES, Iowa, – In light of mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) taking effect Sept. 30, 2008, Iowa State livestock experts are coming together to help producers understand how they will be affected.
“There’s no need for producers to panic, but we should pay attention and be prepared,” John Lawrence, Iowa Beef Center director, said. “Sellers are likely to ask for an af?davit stating the origin of the animal, but buyers’ normal records should be suf?cient to back up the af?davit.”
Lawrence, along with several other Iowa State livestock experts, will be speaking at a COOL webcast held Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. Host sites will be available so individuals can attend a nearby location to watch the speakers broadcast throughout the state. For an up-to-date list of host sites, visit the IBC Web site (http://www.iowabeefcenter.org).
Along with hearing details about COOL’s impact on beef producers from Lawrence, and its impact on pork producers from Iowa Pork Industry Center Director John Mabry, attendees will also hear updates on cattle, hog and corn market outlook.
“In addition to COOL, there are other market uncertainties that producers should be prepared for,” Lawrence said.
To learn more about the COOL webcast, including information about local host sites, contact Taylor Gerling, IBC communications specialist, at (515) 708-4133 or tgerling@iastate.edu. Further details are also available on the IBC Web site, along with the IBC COOL resource section at http://www.iowabeefcenter.org/content/COOL.htm.
The Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, was established in 1996 with the goal of supporting the growth and vitality of the state’s beef cattle industry. It serves as the university’s extension program to cattle producers and is comprised of faculty and staff from ISU Extension and the colleges of agriculture and life sciences and veterinary medicine. Together, the Iowa Beef Center’s members work to develop and deliver the latest in research-based information regarding the beef cattle industry. To learn more, visit http://www.iowabeefcenter.org.
--30--
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2008/aug/061103.htm
Contacts: John Lawrence, 515-294-6290, jdlaw@iastate.edu
Taylor Gerling, 515-294-9124, tgerling@iastate.edu
