Now that the US Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services have released their latest dietary guidelines for Americans, the accolades or criticisms can begin.
Updated every five years, the dietary guidance serve as the foundation for federal nutrition policy and shape the recommendations found on the USDA’s MyPlate.
Since the guidelines were published in late December, some organizations have not had a chance to comment publicly, but a market analyst said it’s almost certain they will. A quick search of some of the websites of organizations that have spoken up in the past shows many are concerned more about environmental concerns than they are about nutrition and consumer health, based on science.
In a statement before the guidelines were released, for instance, the Union of Concerned Scientists said, “In the 2015 edition…, (USDA and HHS) Committee findings on the improved sustainability of diets that are higher in plant-based foods and lower in animal-based foods never made it into the final guidelines. Many experts saw this decision as an overt override of scientific evidence by meat industry lobby groups that opposed the recommendations.”
CATTLEMEN LIKE BEEF’S INCLUSION
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association issued a statement on Tuesday, Dec. 29, saying it was pleased with the role of lean beef in the recommendations. The NCBA had worked hard for beef’s inclusion in the guidelines based on its nutritional density.
“While there is no one-size-fits-all diet, ‘Beef is one of Americans’ favorite foods, and science consistently shows lean beef can be the cornerstone in a variety of healthy diets,’” said the NCBA statement, quoting President Marty Smith. “Now, more than ever, the key to proper nutrition is giving people practical and realistic advice to help create balanced diets that work for them – featuring foods they love, like beef, which pairs perfectly with other nutrient-rich foods.”
PORK PRODUCERS WEIGH IN
The National Pork Producers Council also has not given its OK on the new guidelines, but said in a statement before its release in support of the 2015 standards for meat and opposing those who push in favor of sustainability or other goals.
“NPPC supports the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans,” the statement said. It encouraged the secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human Services to ensure that animal protein maintains its scientifically supportable place on the American table and that the guidelines not venture into unauthorized and off-topic areas such as sustainability, arguing that the advisory committee ignored key research supporting the important contributions that lean meat specifically and meat generally make to the American diet.”
CATTLE, BEEF RECAP
Fed cattle trading was reported in the Plains last week at $111 to $112 per cwt up $1 to $2 from the previous week. Dressed-basis trading was reported at $176 per cwt, up $4.
The USDA choice cutout Thursday was down $0.58 per cwt at $209.95, while select was off $4.21 at $195.65. The choice/select spread widened to $14.30 from $10.67 with 121 loads of fabricated product and 23 loads of trimmings and grinds sold into the spot market.
The USDA reported Thursday that basis bids for corn from livestock feeding operations in the Southern Plains were unchanged at $1.21 a bushel over the Mar CBOT futures contract, which settled at $4.84 a bushel, up $0.09 1/2.
No cattle contracts were tendered for delivery against the Dec contract Thursday.
The CME Feeder Cattle Index for the seven days ended Wednesday was $138.77 per cwt, up $0.06. This compares with Thursday’s Jan contract settlement of $138.95 per cwt, up $0.42.