News Update

News Update
March 28, 2006

Association brings “Performance Basics” to Texas

The American Angus Association^SM is conducting a series of programs for its members in Texas that focus on the basics of using performance programs. Four sessions are scheduled April 24-27. The Monday-Wednesday sessions will begin at 6 p.m., while the Thursday session is now scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.

“Members in Texas make up a large group of our performance program users at the Association,” says Bill Bowman, vice president of information and data programs. “Our meetings are targeted toward the Angus Herd Improvement Records (AHIR^SM) system, providing information that will benefit a wide range of breeder needs.”

Bowman will cover the basics of AHIR, from taking weights to submitting them. He will also explain how performance data is interpreted.

Sessions beginning at 6 p.m. are planned for Monday, April 24, in Mount Pleasant at the Titus County Civic Center; Tuesday, April 25, in College Station at the Texas A&M Beef Center; and Wednesday, April 26, in Cleburne at the West End Grill. The final session begins at 5 p.m., Thursday, April 27, in Lindsay at the Smokehouse Restaurant. There is no cost to attend, but a Dutch-treat meal will be available at the Cleburne and Lindsay locations.

For more information visit www.angus.org.

— Adapted from a release provided by the American Angus Association

Cattlemen fight cattle rustling

Cattle rustling may sound like a topic found in an old western book, but it is no longer a crime of the past. The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association (MCA) is working to change that and put cattle rustling back where it belongs — in history books.

Missouri experienced a large increase in cattle theft incidents in 2005. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, cattle were reported stolen in 29 Missouri counties in the last year, with producer losses estimated at $500,000.

The MCA is taking action to put an end to cattle theft. The MCA Board of Directors has increased the cattle theft reward fund from $2,000 to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals committing felony cattle theft against MCA members.

A task force has also been formed, and it announced the creation of the Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC), a statewide database for Missourians to report cattle theft and suspicious activity. The MIAC can be reached at 1-866-362-6422.

In addition, two pieces of state legislation have been introduced that would increase the penalty for cattle theft. Finally, the MCA and Missouri Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) are asking all livestock auction markets in the state to voluntarily keep photo identification on file of all farmers and ranchers selling cattle.

“We are asking all Missouri Auction Markets to voluntarily obtain, and keep on file, photo identification of persons consigning cattle to a sale,” David Moore, MCA president, said. “This ensures we have a name and address in the event questions arise as to ownership of cattle, and provides law enforcement agencies with a solid place to begin an investigation.”

For more information call the MCA at 1-888-499-9162 or visit www.mocattle.com.

— Adapted from a release provided by the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association