News Update
December 17, 2014
Apply for the
2015 Beef Leaders Institute
The Beef Leaders Institute (BLI) is a premier leadership experience for American Angus Association members that provides a look into the entire beef supply chain, while enhancing participant knowledge of the Association and strengthening their leadership skills. Angus producers between 25-45 years old are encouraged to apply for the eighth-annual BLI, scheduled for June 22-26, 2015. Applications are due back to the Association by March 2, 2015.
“The annual Beef Leaders Institute is an impactful way to bring Angus breeders together to learn about their larger role in the beef cattle industry,” says Jaclyn Upperman, Association director of events and education. “We hope they leave the conference with a better understanding of how quality genetics improve the marketplace.”
The program brings Angus producers together in Saint Joseph, Mo., for a series of informative sessions, followed by a three-day tour across several industry segments. During the event, BLI participants are able to tour a beef harvesting and packing facility, retailer, fabricator, feedlots and other industry segments, including the American Angus Association. Those selected will also learn about the ultimate end product — the Certified Angus Beef® brand — and how the branded beef program drives demand for quality Angus genetics.
“BLI has given me the opportunity to learn more about the Association and to see other segments of the industry we don’t normally get to see,” said Dale Vitt, Fairview, Mont., who participated in the 2014 BLI. “Seeing all this will allow me to tell my customers that the beef industry does put out a safe product, and I can be a better advocate.”
The Association provides transportation, lodging, meals and materials during BLI. Attendees will be responsible for round-trip transportation between their home and either Kansas City or Saint Joseph, Mo.
To apply, click here or contact the American Angus Association at 816-383-5100. Information can also be found on www.angus.org.
Congress Passes Key Tax Extenders Legislation
On Dec. 16, 2014, the U.S. Senate voted 76 to 16 to pass a tax extenders package that contains key provisions for small businesses such as section 179 expensing and bonus depreciation. The tax extenders package was previously approved in the U.S. House of Representatives and now heads to the White House for approval. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Bob McCan said this is great news for cattlemen and women.
“America’s cattle producers are primarily family-owned small businesses who need stability in the tax code in order to make sound business decisions,” said McCan, a cattleman from Victoria, Texas. “This tax extenders package encourages economic growth and provides greater certainty in the tax code.”
Kent Bacus, director of legislative affairs for NCBA, said the extension of Section 179, a provision that provides a higher deduction level for some capital expenditures, like machinery and equipment, and the extension of bonus depreciation are key for producers.
“Last year producers were able to expense up to $500,000 on capital investments, but this year, that was lowered to $25,000,” said Bacus. “For large equipment purchases and other capital investments, cattle producers need certainty in order to properly plan for their business.”
Unfortunately, the retroactive extension means producers will be operating under an expired tax code in 2015, but it could add the needed pressure to complete a comprehensive tax reform deal in the New Year, said Bacus.
New Range and Forage Specialist Appointed at
UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center
Mitchell Stephenson will join the faculty at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) Panhandle Research and Extension Center next spring as a range and forage management specialist.
Stephenson’s appointment, announced by Jack Whittier, Research and Extension director at the Panhandle R&E Center, is one of several recent personnel changes in the Panhandle Extension District in which faculty vacancies are being filled and positions realigned to meet clientele needs.
Stephenson is scheduled to start his range/forage position effective April 1, 2015. He will be responsible for conducting research and extension programs focused on sustainable use and management of rangelands, integration of annual and perennial forage crops to supplement range, ecological implications of grazing, and sustainable livestock production on rangelands.
As part of a multidisciplinary team at the Panhandle Center, he will partner with other UNL faculty and various organizations, agencies and advisory groups.
Whittier stated, “We are extremely pleased to attract Mitch back to western Nebraska. Mitch spent his early years in the Sandhills, near Hyannis, so he is very familiar with this region. Since then he has been trained in some of the premier range management training programs in the country. We feel fortunate that he will be joining our team here at the Panhandle Center.”
Stephenson said, “I grew up in western Nebraska and I’m excited to return. I look forward to working with livestock producers and range managers on research and extension projects that can improve production and sustainability of rangelands.”
For more information, please view the full release here.
Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo Celebrates 119
Years of Legendary Performances
Celebrating its 119th year Jan. 16 – Feb. 7, the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo (FWSSR) embodies the history and culture of Fort Worth still prevalent today. Cowboys on horseback, heart-pounding rodeo and 22,000 head of livestock reign during the 23-day-long event held at Will Rogers Memorial Center — one of the nation’s top equestrian facilities.
The annual All-Western Parade will kick off the festivities Saturday, Jan. 17, at 11 a.m. as the Fort Worth Herd (the world’s only twice-daily cattle drive), stagecoaches, horses and more make their way through downtown Fort Worth. Purchase of reserved parade seating serves as a one-time general admission to the Stock Show grounds for any day of the event. Since its inception in 1896, the Stock Show has welcomed many well-known names in western culture, including Comanche Chief Quanah Parker who walked in the 1909 parade.
Visitors will enjoy daily rodeo performances, including 30 performances of the World’s Original Indoor Rodeo®; four acres of shopping; carnival thrills and plenty of kid-friendly exhibits. Specialty rodeos include:
- “Best of the West” Ranch Rodeo — Friday and Saturday nights; $25
- Best of Mexico Celebración — Sunday, Jan. 18, 7:30 p.m.; $19
- Cowboys of Color Rodeo — Monday, Jan. 19, 2 p.m.; $19
- Bulls’ Night Out — Jan. 20-21, 7:30 p.m.; $25
- Fort Worth Super Shootout® — Jan. 22, 7:30 p.m.; $25
General admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children and includes free admission to the following museums: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, The Cattle Raisers Museum and the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. Museum members will receive free admission to the Stock Show grounds as part of a “cultural exchange.”
Enter the Stock Show Strong Sweepstakes for a chance to win the ultimate Stock Show experience. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.fwssr.com.
Long-term Ranching Outlook to Highlight Jan. 14-15
Southwest Beef Symposium in Amarillo
Big-picture emerging issues in the beef and ranching industries will be addressed at the Southwest Beef Symposium, jointly hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and New Mexico State University (NMSU) Cooperative Extension Service.
This year’s conference, themed “Looking to the Future,” is set for Jan. 14-15 at the Wyndham Garden Hotel, 3100 Interstate 40 West in Amarillo.
“After some very rough years of drought, we will address issues of concern to the industry at large, but also at the ranch level,” said Ted McCollum, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist in Amarillo. “Hopefully, we have turned the corner and are beginning to stabilize the national cow inventory.”
Registration is $80 and includes a steak dinner on Jan. 14, lunch on Jan. 15, refreshments and symposium proceedings. Registration is required by Jan. 9 and seating is limited to 150, McCollum said, advising participants to register early. Others will be put on a waiting list.
Register online at http://agriliferegister.tamu.edu or by phone at 979-845-2604.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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