News Update
April 30, 2018
Angus Juniors ‘Kick it with
the Cowboys’ in Oklahoma
Angus juniors have many opportunities to travel the country with the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) and learn from knowledgeable experts in the beef cattle business throughout the year. Most recently, NJAA members met April 19-21 in Oklahoma City, Okla., to participate in a Raising the Bar conference.
“Oklahoma State University (OSU) is a very popular location for Angus juniors to continue their education,” said Caitlyn Brandt, American Angus Association events and education coordinator. “I have no doubt that OSU will gain a few more because of their experience at Raising the Bar.”
The conference hosted 67 Angus junior leaders from 22 state junior Angus associations. Participants toured the OSU campus, heard from industry experts, took part in leadership training workshops and spent time networking with other participants.
“Oklahoma City was centrally located around three Angus breeders who generously hosted our group,” said Brandt. “Juniors were able to learn more about Angus cattle in Oklahoma and agriculture in general.”
The group visited Express Angus Ranches in Yukon, Pollard Farms in Waukomis and Pfeiffer Angus Farm in Mulhall.
Read the full Angus news release online.
Beef Farmers and Ranchers Make Significant
Contribution to Societal, Economic Fabric of Kansas
Many products get publicity and special recognition during the year. But in Kansas, if any product deserves its own month, it’s beef. That’s why Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer has declared May as Beef Month in the state. This declaration makes this the 34th consecutive year beef has received this honor.
According to Kevin Thielen, executive director of the Kansas Beef Council, the value of beef to the economy and social fabric of the state is remarkable.
“With more than 6.3 million cattle on ranches and in feedyards in the state, Kansas ranks third in the country” says Thielen. “That’s more than twice the state’s human population. Kansas cattle producers are proud of the nutritious, delicious beef they help bring to tables in this state, across the country and around the world.”
Kansas has about 46 million acres of farm ground. Not all of this land can be used to grow crops, however. Grazing cattle is an ideal technique for efficiently utilizing grasses and plants growing on over 15.5 million acres of Kansas pasture and rangeland. These acres would be wasted if not for ruminants like cattle that can turn these resources into essential protein and nutrients for humans.
For more information, visit the Kansas Beef Council website.
NCBA Calling for Nominations for
Beef Quality Assurance Awards
Award applications for the 12th annual National Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Awards now are being accepted. The 2019 National BQA Awards recognize five winners in the areas of beef, dairy, marketing and education:
- The BQA Cow-Calf and BQA Feedyard awards recognize producers who best demonstrate the implementation of BQA principles as part of the day-to-day activities on their respective operations.
- The BQA/FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) award honors those dairy operations that demonstrate the best in animal care and handling while implementing the BQA and FARM programs at the highest levels.
- The BQA Marketer Award acknowledges livestock markets, cattle buyers and supply-chain programs that promote BQA to their customers and offer them opportunities to get certified.
- The BQA Educator Award celebrates individuals or companies that provide high quality and innovative training to individuals that care and handle cattle throughout the industry chain.
The National BQA Awards are selected by a committee of BQA certified representatives from universities, state beef councils, sponsors and affiliated groups. Nominations are submitted by organizations, groups or individuals on behalf of a U.S. beef producer, dairy beef producer, marketer or educator.
Read the full NCBA news release online.
2018 Omnibus Bill Nixes DUNS and SAM
Requirements for Farmers
Effective immediately, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) financial assistance program participants will no longer need a Dun and Bradstreet Universal Number System (DUNS) number or to register in the System for Award Management (SAM). The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 (2018 Omnibus Bill), signed by President Donald Trump on March 23, eliminated these requirements.
According to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, DUNS and SAM were designed for billion-dollar government contractors, not everyday farmers trying to support their families. These changes help streamline the customer experience of farmers, which is a top priority at USDA, he said.
“This change greatly simplifies the contracting process for our customers and staff,” said Acting NRCS Chief Leonard Jordan. “Conservation program participants will soon receive letters from their local NRCS office with more details.”
The exemption does not apply to any current or future agreements or federal contracts with eligible entities, project sponsors, vendors, partners, or other non-exempt landowners or producers. DUNS/SAM registration is still required for:
- Agreements for partnerships entered through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP),
- Agreements with eligible entities under the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP),
- Agreements under the Agricultural Land Easement (ALE) component of ACEP, and more.
Learn more in the NRCS news release online.
Beef Commodity Commission Accepting Nominations
for Board Member Positions
The Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for beef will accept nominations to fill two board positions. To be nominated, eligible individuals must be an active Georgia beef producer. Any person currently serving can be reappointed or replaced by the Ex Officio committee during appointments.
Nominations may be made by filling out a nominee information form found at http://agr.georgia.gov/commodity-promotion-forms.aspx and sending it to:
- Georgia Department of Agriculture
- 19 MLK Jr. Drive S.W.
- Room 320
- Atlanta, GA 30334
The form may also be faxed to 404-656-9380, or emailed to Andy.Harrison@agr.georgia.gov. The deadline for submissions is Thursday, May 31, 2018.
The nominees will be certified to ensure they are active Georgia producers of the commodity, and geographic representation may be considered when making appointments. Appointments will be made by the Agriculture Commodity Commission Ex Officio Committee in July. Producers with questions may contact the Georgia Department of Agriculture at 404-585-1405.
Agricultural commodity commissions are farmer-funded self-help programs to enhance research, promotion and education. They are authorized by Georgia law under the Commodity Promotions Act.
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