American Angus Association Heifer Pregnancy EPDs Released

The American Angus Association has released its first research heifer pregnancy genetic evaluation. This project is part of a comprehensive effort to characterize economically important traits in Angus cattle and to develop selection tools to benefit commercial producers and seedstock breeders.

The initial research includes sire heifer pregnancy expected progeny differences (HP EPDs). These EPDs are designed to identify genetic differences among sires for daughter pregnancy.

“Even though reproductive traits are recognized as being lowly heritable, this research allows us to provide a genetic value to commercial producers in an area of high economic importance,” says Sally Northcutt, Association genetic research director.

The Fall 2007 heifer pregnancy research report contains HP EPDs and accuracies for 429 sires. The release of HP EPDs is in the form of a web-based research report found at www.angussiresearch.com containing sire EPDs with a minimum 0.30 accuracy. Printed copies are available on request. If you have questions, contact the Performance Programs Department at 816-383-5100.

— Release provided by the American Angus Association.

2007 Missouri Angus Tour Set For Aug. 24-26

Angus enthusiasts are invited to cruise the Mississippi at the 2007 Missouri Angus Tour. The tour, with headquarters in Hannibal, Mo., will feature visits to farms and ranches in the northeast region of Missouri. On Friday evening the tour will kick off with a social at the hotel headquarters.

Saturday’s events will include five stops and provide tour attendees the opportunity to meet with local breeders and Angus producers. The first stop on the tour is F&T Livestock Market, Palmyra, Mo., where local breeders will have cattle on display. Following that, tour attendees will visit Kris Graupman Angus, Palmyra, Mo., T&L Angus Ranch, Monticello, Mo., and B&M Angus, Williamstown, Mo. From there, the tour will stop at Shelbina Fairgrounds, where local breeders will also display their cattle. Saturday’s activities will conclude with a dinner cruise on the Mark Twain riverboat where participants will tour the Mississippi River.

Sunday’s events will feature four stops. Tour destinations include Thunder Valley Farms and White Oak Farms, both in Elsberry, Mo., and Hopewell Farms, Paris, Mo. The tour will conclude at Fox Run Farms, Mexico, Mo.

Those interested in participating in the tour are asked to register by Aug. 15. Registration fee is $75 per person and includes meals and bus transportation; it does not include accommodations. Registrants may reserve accommodations at the tour’s headquarters hotel, Quality Inn & Suites, Hannibal, Mo. 573-221-4001. Please ask for the Missouri Angus block of rooms; rates are $76.95 and $86.95 for suites.

All tour registrations should be sent to Kris Graupman, 4152 County Road 230, Palmyra, MO 63461. Please include the names of each tour participant as well as $75 per participant. Checks may be made payable to Missouri Angus Tour. For information regarding the 2007 Missouri Angus Tour, please contact Kris Graupman at 573-769-2956.

FDA to Host Public Hearing on Nutrition Labels

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has scheduled a public hearing to address the use of symbols to communicate nutrition information on food labels, according to the American Meat Institute (AMI). The purpose of the hearing is to assist the FDA in obtaining information about programs currently in use.

The hearing will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 10-11, at the Inn and Conference Center by the Marriott, located in Adelphi, Md. To register, go to www.cfsan.fda.gov/register.html.

Comments may also be submitted through Nov. 12 to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Ln., Room 1061, Rockville, MD 20852, or online at www.fda.gov/dockets/ecomments.

National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection Schedules Public Meetings

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today that the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) will host public meetings Aug. 8-9 to discuss issues related to handling of data and public health based inspection.

The full committee will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 8, and from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 9. Subcommittees will meet from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 8. All committee meetings will be at George Mason University, School of Public Policy, Arlington Original Building, 3401 Fairfax Dr., Arlington, VA 22201. Directions to the site and the agenda will be posted at www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Meetings_&_Events/index.asp.

Issues to be discussed will include data collection and analysis at FSIS: standard operating procedures; technical plan for public health-based inspection; and pilot project to explore mechanisms for sharing industry data with FSIS.

A copy of the agenda and supplementary information will be available prior to the meeting at www.fsis.usda.gov.