News Update

News Update
April 13, 2006

Remember to register for Cattlemen’s Boot Camp!

Register now for Cattlemen’s Boot Camp, set for April 28-29 at San Luis Obispo, Calif. Open to all cattle producers, Boot Camp is sponsored by the American Angus Association^SM in partnership with the Angus Foundation and Cal Poly State University. The event offers perspective on all industry segments, including production practices, marketing and end product merit.

The Boot Camp begins at 1 p.m. April 28 at the Cal Poly Animal Science Pavilion and is designed for newer cattle producers, as well as veterans. Attendees will get the opportunity to participate in numerous interactive learning stations that will cover genetic selection, animal identification, beef carcass grading and marketing programs.

“Boot Camp is a continued effort to work with universities to provide information to producers at a regional level,” says Jim Shirley, American Angus Association vice president of industry relations. “It is one of the educational efforts supported by the Angus Foundation.”

Registration for Boot Camp is just $75, which includes meals and materials, but space is limited, so register today by contacting the Association. The registration deadline is April 11. Registration forms can be obtained from Linda Campbell at the American Angus Association, (816) 383-5143 or online at www.angus.org. A hotel block is available at the Best Western Somerset Inn. Call (805) 544-0973 and ask for the American Angus block to get the negotiated rate.

For more information or to access a schedule, visit www.angus.org/cattlemenbootcamp06.html.

— by Shelia Stannard, director of activity communications
& event coordinator, American Angus Association

CRP Deadline Extension

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced an extension of the sign-up deadlines for both the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the special CRP re-enrollment and extension opportunities until April 28. The deadline for both opportunities was originally April 14.

After the CRP general sign-up ends on April 28, the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) will evaluate offers based on cost and the Environmental Benefits Index (EBI) factors of wildlife, water, soil, air and enduring benefits. Accepted offers will become effective Oct. 1.

In addition, subject to a compliance review, CRP participants with contracts expiring on Sept. 30, 2007, now have until April 28 to apply for special re-enrollment or extension opportunities offered by FSA. Participants ranking in the EBI’s top one-fifth can re-enroll their land in a new 10-year contract. For lands with restored wetlands, FSA offered the opportunity for a new 15-year contract. FSA offered the second one-fifth group the opportunity for a five-year extension; the third one-fifth a fourth-year extension; the fourth one-fifth a three-year extension; and the remaining participants a two-year extension.

For more information on CRP, contact your local FSA office or visit the FSA Web site at: www.fsa.usda.gov/dafp/cepd/crp.htm

— release provided by USDA