News Update

News Update
June 15, 2007

National Junior Angus Show Posts Record Entries, Set July 1-7

Members of the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) have entered a record number of entries to the 2007 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), July 1-7 in Tulsa, Okla. More than 800 NJAA members from 37 states entered 1,773 entries in what has become the largest single-breed beef cattle show in the world. The Oklahoma and Arkansas Angus and junior associations will host this year’s event, “The American Dream.”

Youth between the ages of 9 and 21 years old will show their cattle in the following categories: owned heifers, bred-and-owned heifers, bred-and-owned bulls, cow-calf pairs and steers. A division for carcass steers also exists for those interested in feeding and harvesting the end product.

The cattle show takes place during four days, starting on Wednesday, July 4. Judges for this year’s event include Joel Cowley, Houston, Texas, owned heifers; Brad McCurry, Mount Hope, Kan., bred-and-owned heifers, bulls and cow-calf pairs; and Randy Perry, Prather, Calif., steers.

In addition to the cattle show, the week includes numerous educational contests, educational workshops, the National Junior Angus Showmanship contest and the annual meeting of the NJAA, where six members will be elected to the NJAA Board of Directors.

Contests allow the youth to showcase their skills outside of the show ring, and include prepared and extemporaneous public speaking, a quiz bowl, team sales, team fitting, livestock judging, photography, posters, creative writing, and graphic design. Another feature of the week is the American Angus Auxiliary-sponsored All-American Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) Cook-Off.

This year marks the 41st Annual National Junior Angus Showmanship contest. Limited to two youth from each state per year, a young person may only compete once in this prestigious event. Showmanship judges include Ryan Cotton, Clarksville, Ga.; Cody Sankey, Lansing, Mich.; and Tammy Wallace, Stotts City, Mo.

For those who want to watch the show from home, the show will be broadcast live online at www.liveauctions.tv. NJAA member Andrew Rogen, Brandon, S.D., has secured sponsorship for the live Web cam for the second consecutive year. LaGrand Angus & Hereford Ranch, Freeman, S.D., will sponsor the live Web cam. Additionally, Angus Productions Inc. (API) will post results online at www.angusjournal.com/njas.

— Release provided by the American Angus Association.

Secretary Johanns Reports Beef Trade Progress

Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns released a statement June 13 reporting recent progress with three key trading partners. Johanns said trade negotiations are showing positive results for future U.S. beef exports.

According to Johanns, Japan eliminated its 100% re-inspection of U.S. beef and beef products and will implement a sampling-based protocol. (See “Japan Approves U.S. Beef,” in the June 13 Angus e-List.)

In addition, South Korea-U.S. beef trade made headway. “Recently, South Korea agreed to resume imports of U.S. boneless beef, and we continue to press them to implement import requirements for U.S. beef and beef products consistent with OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) guidelines on BSE,” Johanns stated.

He also announced an agreement with Malaysia to import U.S. beef, consistent with OIE guidelines, permitting bone-in beef and variety meats from cattle of all ages. “We applaud this decision and look forward to confirming the details with the Malaysian government,” Johanns said.

“Science provides us with clear data upon which international trading standards were built,” he continued. “All of our trading partners must be mindful of these guidelines and work toward complying with them. We are pressing for clear, aggressive timelines from our trading partners that demonstrate their commitment to internationally-agreed upon OIE standards.”

FSA County Committee Nominations Start Today

Secretary Johanns announced farmer and rancher candidate nominations begin today for local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees. The nomination period continues through Aug. 1, and elections take place this fall.

“I encourage all producers to participate in the county committee election process by nominating candidates by the August 1 deadline,” said Johanns. “We have seen the nomination of minority and women producers increase significantly in recent years, and we would like to see that trend continue.”

To be eligible to serve on an FSA county committee, a person must participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the local administrative area in which the person is a candidate.

Producers may also nominate themselves, and organizations representing minorities and women may also nominate candidates. To become a nominee, eligible individuals must sign form FSA-669A. The form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available online at www.fsa.usda.gov (click on News & Events, then County Committee Elections). Nomination forms for the 2007 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on Aug. 1.

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