News Update
May 23, 2007
Ipsen Named Regional Manager for Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah
The American Angus Association(SM) announces the addition of Logan Ipsen, a recent graduate of Utah State University, to its staff. Ipsen assumes the duties of regional manager in the Western United States, including the states of Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah.
Ipsen brings a variety of beef industry experience to the Association. He was raised on a purebred Angus and Hereford operation in Idaho, has fit and shown cattle, and also has experience in feed and semen sales. Ipsen earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science with a minor in agricultural business at Utah State, where he was active in student senate and Animal Science Club.
“The Association is fortunate to have someone with Logan’s background in the beef cattle industry to fill the regional manager position in the West,” says Jim Shirley, vice president of industry relations for the Association. “We expanded the vacated territory to include Utah, to provide better service to our members.”
Ipsen, and his wife, Stevie, will relocate to northern California as he begins his position in early June. As regional manager, Ipsen will be the membership liaison for the Association; provide assistance to members; promote the breed at numerous events, including conventions, shows and sales; and sell advertising for Angus Productions Inc. (API).
Ipsen fills the position, previously held by John Dickinson, who worked for the Association nearly nine years. Rod Wesselman remains the regional manager in the Northwest, and still covers Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
Regional managers are one of the great resources the American Angus Association, with headquarters in Saint Joseph, Mo., provides its 34,000 members nationwide. Regional managers are also a great resource for all commercial producers who use or are interested in using Angus genetics. A list of the 13 regional managers and their contact information is online at www.angus.org.
— Release provided by the American Angus Association.
OIE Says U.S. is Controlled Risk Country for BSE
“I’m pleased to report that the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) has formally classified the United States as a controlled-risk country for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE),” Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns announced Tuesday. “This classification confirms what we have always contended — that U.S. regulatory controls are effective and that U.S fresh beef and beef products from cattle of all ages can be safely traded due to our interlocking safeguards.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) submitted in October 2006 an application and supporting documents to OIE for review and formal classification for BSE risk, Johann added. The classification provides support from an internationally recognized, standard-setting body that the measures in place in the U.S. effectively protect animal health and food safety.
“This classification is a clear recognition of the U.S. beef industry’s proactive efforts to prevent, detect and control BSE,” said American Meat Institute (AMI) President J. Patrick Boyle. He noted that no other BSE-free nation took so many aggressive measures to build firewalls to the disease before it was ever diagnosed within its borders. “The U.S.’ aggressive surveillance system, which exceeds international guidelines, has confirmed that BSE is on its way out of North America. There is no doubt: U.S. cattle are healthy and U.S. beef is safe.”
For more information visit www.usda.gov and www.meatami.com.
Inventors Challenge Entries Due June 1
Farmers can enter their original inventions and win cash prizes in the Inventors Challenge sponsored by Farm Progress Companies and Roundup herbicide, developed by Monsanto. The contest’s top three winners will tap into $5,250 in cash prizes. The top 10 finalists’ inventions will be displayed at the 2007 Farm Progress Show at Decatur, Ill., Aug. 28-30.
Entries must be original creations and should be a concept that could easily be incorporated into any farming operation. Entry deadline is June 1, 2007. Full entry information is available on the Farm Progress Show Web site, www.FarmProgressShow.com or call 515-278-7793.
— compiled by Shauna Rose Hermel, editor, Angus Productions Inc.
API Web Services
3201 Frederick Ave. • St. Joseph, MO 64506 • 1-800-821-5478
www.angusjournal.com • www.angusbeefbulletin.com • www.anguseclassifieds.com
e-mail: webservices@angusjournal.com