News Update

News Update
Jan. 17, 2007

Southern Cattle Co. Purchases 2007 Angus Foundation Heifer Package

John Downs, owner of Southern Cattle Co., Marianna, Fla., bid $135,000 Jan. 11 to purchase the 2007 Angus Foundation Heifer, donated by Frank and Belinda VanderSloot, owners of Riverbend Ranch, Idaho Falls, Idaho.

The heifer package was auctioned during the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) in Denver, Colo., with all proceeds benefiting the Angus Foundation, the not-for-profit affiliate of the American Angus AssociationSM that funds and supports programs involving education, youth and research in the Angus breed and agricultural industry. Bear Mountain Angus Ranch, Melba, Idaho, owned by the Stoller family, was the contending bidder.

Riverbend Rita R125, a January 2005 daughter of Bon-View New Design 1407, headlined the 2007 package. Her dam is GAR Precision 1919, a daughter of GAR Precision 1680. A special feature this year, the heifer was bred to Mytty In Focus and is due to calve March 13.

In addition to the heifer, Southern Cattle Co. will receive 30 days of free insurance from American Live Stock Insurance Co., Geneva, Ill.; free transportation to the buyer’s ranch provided by Lathrop Livestock Transportation, Dundee, Ill.; and a flush and three embryo implants into the buyer’s recipient cows from Trans Ova Genetics, Sioux Center, Iowa.

“We are honored by the generosity shown by both Southern Cattle Co. and Riverbend Ranch in the donation and purchase of this phenotypically and genotypically outstanding female,” Milford Jenkins, Angus Foundation president, said. “Their charitable and unselfish endorsement of the importance of raising funds for education, youth and research for the benefit of the Angus breed will be an inspiration for many years to come.

“I’d also like to extend a special thank you to American Live Stock Insurance, Lathrop Livestock Transportation and Trans Ova Genetics for the valuable contributions they made to the sale of this year’s heifer package,” he continued.

Funds generated by the sale of the heifer package will support the Angus Foundation’s first capital campaign, Vision of Value: Campaign for Angus, which aims to raise $11 million by Dec. 31, 2011, to further support the Foundation’s education, youth and research efforts. To date, more than $3 million has been committed to the campaign through cash gifts and planned giving commitments.

For more information about the Angus Foundation, the sale of the heifer package or the campaign, contact Jenkins at (816) 383-5100 or mjenkins@angusfoundation.org.

— release provided by the Angus Foundation

2006 Farm Income Forecast Down

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has estimated net farm income will be down for 2006 compared to 2005 figures, Farm Press reports. USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) has predicted net farm income to be $58.9 billion in 2006, down from $73 billion in 2005, but still slightly more than its 10-year average of $57.2 billion. According to the article, the drop in the value of livestock production and direct government payments combined with an increase in the cost of inputs were the primary reasons for the anticipated decline.

Livestock, Trade Data Available

ERS has released its Livestock and Meat Trade Data Set, containing monthly and annual data for the past 1-2 years for imports and exports of live cattle and hogs, beef and veal, lamb and mutton, pork, broiler meat, turkey meat, and shell eggs. Visit www.ers.usda.gov/Data/MeatTrade/ to view the report.

The latest U.S. agricultural trade data are also now available from ERS. The data announce USDA’s monthly release of calendar year, fiscal year, year-to-date, and monthly value of U.S. farm exports, imports and trade balance.

Visit www.ers.usda.gov/Data/FATUS/MonthlySummary.htm to learn more.

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