News Update

News Update
Jan. 30, 2007

Kansas Angus Breeders Donate Heifers’ Sale Proceeds to the Angus Foundation

Two Kansas Angus breeders, Laflin Ranch and Lyons Ranch, have announced they will give the Angus Foundation the proceeds from a heifer auctioned in each of their respective March 2007 sales.

Laflin Ranch, Olsburg, Kan., will donate the proceeds generated by Laflin’s Lady Barbara 6165, a March 2006 female sired by SAV 8180 Traveler 004, set to sell Friday, March 2 during the 2007 Laflin Angus Ranch Sale. Her maternal grandsire is N-Bar Emulation EXT. Visit www.laflinranch.com for more information.

Profits from Laflin’s Lady Barbara 6165 will be used to enhance the Angus Foundation’s existing Robert Laflin Memorial Fund.

Lyons Ranch, Manhattan, Kan., will donate the funds generated by Lyons Pride 6007, a January 2006 daughter of SAF Focus of ER, set to sell Monday, March 5 during the 2007 Lyons Ranch Performance Bull and Heifer Sale. Ranking high in dollar value indexes ($Values) and maternal characteristics, this heifer’s maternal grandsire is Bon-View New Design 1407. Visit www.lyonsranch.com for more information.

Proceeds from the sale of Lyons Pride 6007 will be used to support the newly created Kansas Angus Association Endowment Fund, which will also award scholarships to Kansas Angus youth.

For more information about either heifer, check their respective sale books or contact American Angus Association Regional Manager Matt Caldwell or Angus Foundation President Milford Jenkins.

— Information provided by the Angus Foundation.

NCBA Launches Weekly TV Program

On Feb. 6, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) will launch a weekly television program for America’s cattle farmers and ranchers on RFD-TV. NCBA’s “Cattlemen to Cattlemen” will air every Tuesday evening at 8:30 Eastern time. The program will be rebroadcast on Wednesdays at 4:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Saturdays at 10 a.m. (all times are Eastern). Previews of the program will be shown at the Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show, Jan. 31-Feb. 3 in Nashville, Tenn.

According to NCBA, the program will include interviews with high-profile individuals in the cattle industry. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns will be the featured guest in the premiere episode, which will also introduce viewers to incoming NCBA President John Queen. Also included will be tips on low-stress cattle handling and market information. The program will also look behind the counter of Boston Market, traditionally a chicken chain that is experiencing great success with its new beef entrees.

Cattlemen to Cattlemen will go cross-country covering topics that are important to cattlemen and women. It will cover news of the week and market information, but will also include in-depth features about methods cattle producers are using to build their operations and grow their bottom line.

NCBA’s “Cattlemen to Cattlemen” is hosted by Susie Ross, a Colorado resident and native of South Dakota. She will be joined on selected segments by regional reporters Todd McCartney of Millsap, Texas, Kevin Ochsner of Kersey, Colo., and Jim Whitt of Tulsa, Okla.

NCBA is joined in underwriting this program by Fort Dodge Animal Health, Purina Mills LLC, McDonald’s, Pfizer Animal Health and Bayer Animal Health.

RFD-TV is found on DISH Network channel 9409 and on DirectTV channel 379. It is also featured on many cable systems; check your local listings. For more information on NCBA’s “Cattlemen to Cattlemen,” visit www.cattlementocattlemen.org or www.beefusa.org.

— Adapted from an NCBA news release.

Beef Board Web Log Debuts

When the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) annual meeting takes place at the Cattle Industry Convention this week in Nashville, even producers who are unable to attend will be able to participate through the Beef Board Meeting web log, at www.beefboardmeeting.com.

CBB Chairman Jay O’Brien of Amarillo, Texas, says the site was started last year in an effort to provide complete transparency for producers who pay into the $1-per-head national beef checkoff.

The interactive nature of the web log format will allow producers to get information from the committee meetings almost as soon as it happens and provide feedback immediately as well. To provide input, all producers will have to do is click on the comments link under any of the committee information pages on the site. Comments will be continuously monitored, collected and circulated to committee members during the meetings.

“If we have people who want to have input, we welcome them to enter in on the blog what their feelings are and we’ll get their opinions to the appropriate people,” O’Brien says.

CBB contracted ZimmComm New Media LLC of Missouri to design and develop the web log and provide on-site coverage of the convention. In addition to committee reports, content during the convention will include photos, audio interviews and video clips.

— Adapted from a CBB news release.

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