News Update

News Update
Oct. 30, 2006

USDA Announces Beef Promotion and Research Board Appointments

Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner Oct. 27 announced 35 appointments and one interim appointment to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board. All appointees will serve three-year terms beginning Feb. 3, 2007. The interim appointee will serve a two-year term.

Appointed members representing cattle producers by state and unit are: Judy Prosser, Ariz.; I. Jack Cowley and Richard Nock, Calif.; Roger Evans, Colo.; Jeffrey Clausen and Robert Johnson, Iowa; Jerald Bohn and Don Hullman, Kan.; T. Barrett Porter, La.; Charles Markley, Mich.; Aquilla Ward, Mid-Atlantic; John Schafer, Minn.; Charles Hull, Miss.; Jerry King, Mo.; Kristy Lage and David Lamb, Neb.; Preston Wright, Nev.; Margaret McKeen, N.M.; Roger Pendleton, N.C.; Lucinda Williams, Northeast; Bill Boyer, Okla.; Allen Walth and Myron Williams, S.D.; Jennifer Senn, Southeast; Robert Reviere Jr., Tenn.; Peter Case, Justin Dauer, Charles Kiker III, and Walter Lasley, Texas; Richard Nielson, Utah; Mark Riechers and Nancy Thomas, Wis.; and Dianne Kirkbride, Wyo.

Appointed to represent importers are: Lawrence Bryant, Va. and Greg Silpe, Conn. Michelle Gorman, Md., was appointed to serve the remaining two-year term vacated by David Palmer, Wash., D.C., because of his recent resignation.

The 104-member board is authorized by the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985. The secretary selects the appointees nominated by beef, veal, dairy and importers certified organizations.

The board oversees collection of $1-per-head on all cattle sold in the United States, and $1-per-head equivalent on imported cattle, beef and beef products. In addition, the board contracts with established national, non-profit, industry-governed organizations to implement programs of promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing and producer communications.

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service monitors operation of the board.

— release provided by USDA News

American Angus Association, Angus Productions Inc. Offer Summer Internships

The American Angus Association^SM and Angus Productions Inc. (API), with headquarters in Saint Joseph, Mo., will offer summer internships to college students who want to learn more about breed association and publication work. The paid internships last approximately 10-12 weeks. Application deadline is Feb. 1, 2007.

The Association’s communications department is offering two internships to junior or senior-level students majoring in agricultural journalism or agricultural communications who have an interest in the livestock industry. The public relations intern will be responsible for publicizing Angus events, which include writing news releases and feature articles and working with digital photography. The intern will develop a media kit for the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) and is assigned special projects as time allows. The intern will have the opportunity to travel to shows and events.

A communications internship is also available to students with a specific interest in writing feature articles, photography and design. The intern could potentially write feature articles and take stock photographs or write and design Association publications and educational material.

Students who are interested in either the public relations or communications internships should have completed course work in news and feature writing, as well as editing and photography. The applicants must be detail-oriented and able to work alone as well as part of a team. The public relations intern should have experience with livestock shows. Send a résumé, cover letter and writing samples to Shelia Stannard, Association director of communications and events. The interns will start in late May or by June 1.

The junior activities department employs a college sophomore, junior or senior to assist in the planning and execution of junior Angus shows and leadership events. The intern will have the opportunity to travel and assist with the NJAS and Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) Conference. The intern is expected to perform daily in-office preparation for various junior activities, which includes correspondence and communication with others, including the National Junior Angus Association board of directors.

Applicants for the junior activities internship should have an agriculture-related major field. They need to be detail-oriented, outgoing, have the ability to work well with all types of people and be a self-starter. Applicants who can begin the internship around May 20 will be given preference, due to the earlier dates of the NJAS. Any student interested in the junior activities internship should send their résumé to James Fisher, Association director of activities and junior activities.

API offers an editorial internship with the Angus Journal and Angus Beef Bulletin to a college junior or senior who is pursuing a degree in agricultural journalism or agricultural communications. The intern works with the editorial staff and other Angus Journal and Association staff members. The intern will assist with feature and news writing, conduct interviews, report on Angus events and beef industry seminars, and have the opportunity to enhance his or her photography skills.

Applicants should have experience with livestock and should have completed the following courses: Reporting I and II, editing, magazine writing or creative writing, photography or photojournalism. Microsoft Word and/or Quark Xpress or InDesign computer program knowledge and skills are also helpful. Students who can begin in mid to late May are encouraged to apply. Interested students should send a résumé and writing samples to Shauna Hermel, editor of the Angus Journal.

All résumés should be sent to the appropriate person listed above at the American Angus Association, 3201 Frederick Ave., Saint Joseph, Mo., 64506. Again, the application deadline is Feb. 1, 2007. If interested in multiple internships, please send multiple applications. Any students wanting more information can contact Stannard, Fisher or Hermel at (816) 383-5100.

— by Shelia Stannard, director of communications and events, American Angus Association