News Update

News Update
Sept. 27, 2006

National Angus Conference & Tour Online

It’s not too late to participate in the National Angus Conference & Tour going on this week in Boise, Idaho — just log on! Visit www.nationalangusconference.com for Angus Productions Inc.’s (API’s) coverage of the conference, complete with audio, PowerPoint® presentations and speaker summaries, where available.

Don’t Miss ‘The Magic of the Vine’

There’s still time to RSVP to “The Magic of the Vine,” a benefit dinner and auction hosted by Jim and Sue Coleman of Vintage Angus Ranch, at 6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 7 at the hosts’ home in Modesto, Calif. Event proceeds benefit the Angus Foundation’s education, youth and research activities. Call the Angus Foundation at (816) 383-5100 to RSVP.

View photos and descriptions of The Magic of the Vine auction items online at www.angusfoundation.org. With a wide array of auction items — from art, leather goods and jewelry, to sports items, wine, and exclusive tours and vacation trips — at various price levels, there’s sure to be something that piques your interest.

If you can’t attend the event but would like to place an advance bid on an auction item, contact the Angus Foundation or any one of the following members of The Magic of the Vine steering committee:

Julie McMahon French, (989) 435-2599 or (989) 965-6363 (cell)
Wynn Dalton Herbers, (804) 355-8560 or (804) 356-9929 (cell)
Sara Stevenson, (406) 423-5443
Sherry Danekas, (916) 362-2697
Jenni Beck, (919) 523-0865

Beef Quality Audit Shows Gains, Sets Benchmark

The executive summary of the 2005 Beef Quality Audit, released today and partially funded by the beef checkoff, establishes a new benchmark for quality goals and targets by the year 2015.

The report, titled “Staying on Track,” follows previous beef quality audits in 1991, 1995 and 2000. According to a Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) release, the results will be incorporated into the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program that is now active in 47 states to certify and train producers in quality pre-harvest practices.

Based on the audit, the checkoff-funded BQA program will target five specific education efforts to improve quality: (1) the effects of animal health product use; (2) quality assurance in care, handling and transportation; (3) marketing opportunities; (4) herd management actions that affect quality and (5) recordkeeping practices.

The latest audit further identifies the top three quality gains since 2000, including: (1) improved microbiological safety; (2) improved cattle genetics resulting in higher quality beef; and (3) fewer injection-site lesions. The rankings are from interviews with beef end-users, including exporters, purveyors, foodservice and retail channels.

“Lack of uniformity/inconsistency in quality” was ranked by end users as the most prevalent defect in the U.S. beef industry. That shortcoming was segregated into four areas, including: marbling; tenderness; palatability; and inconsistency among and within quality grades.

The national audit was conducted by researchers and scientists from Colorado State University, Texas A&M University, Oklahoma State University and West Texas A&M University.

The study, conducted between June 2005 and June 2006, collected quality data at 16 U.S. packing plants. The audit collected data from live cattle, carcasses/offal items on the harvest floor and carcasses after chilling and after ribbing at the 12th/13th rib interface.

Copies of the full audit report, including 10 goals outlined for the industry, may be requested by calling Ryan Ruppert at (303) 850-3369.

— compiled by Crystal Albers, associate editor, Angus Productions Inc.