News Update

News Update
Sept. 20, 2007

Secretary of Agriculture Resigns

After nearly three years as Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns submitted a letter of resignation yesterday afternoon to President Bush.

In it, Johanns thanked the President for the opportunity to serve the American people and said he had decided to pursue “a new opportunity to serve this great Nation.”

With Johanns’ resignation, which became effective Wednesday, Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner will serve as Acting Secretary of Agriculture.

“I can assure you that I leave the Farm Bill finalization in supremely capable hands,” Johanns said in his letter to President Bush. “Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner has been intimately involved in the deliberations — from the development of our proposals to his attendance at virtually every hearing during the House mark-up. Few people are as knowledgeable and insightful about Farm Bill policy. He is supported by some of the most dedicated civil servants in the federal government.”

Johanns, a former Governor of Nebraska, went on to describe the strength of American agriculture and the administration’s progress in increasing farm equity and farm household income, agricultural exports, funding for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrition programs, and conservation initiatives. He thanked the President for his direction related to the 2007 Farm Bill.

Sale Dates Announced for AngusSource®-Tagged Calves

To assist Angus producers in capturing added value from their participation in AngusSource®, the American Angus Association announces several fall sale dates. These scheduled sales will group AngusSource®-tagged calves as well as other age- and source-verified calves.

Current industry reports document that $15-$25-per-head premiums are being realized for age- and source-verified cattle. Reports indicate the genetic verification of Angus calves, such as AngusSource, are adding an additional $30 per head* more than non-Angus calves. In addition, AngusSource-tagged calves have the opportunity to qualify for Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) regardless of hide color.

Numerous AngusSource Value-Added Feeder Calf Sales are scheduled in four states. The sale dates and locations are listed below:

Sept. 29                 Fort Scott Livestock Market, Fort Scott, Kan.
Oct. 9                    Woodward Livestock Auction, Woodward, Okla.
Oct. 12                  Woodward Livestock Auction, Woodward, Okla.
Oct. 16                  Staunton Union Stockyards, Staunton, Va. (To be hosted by the Virginia Angus Association & Shen-Valley Angus Association, this sale plans to feature only AngusSource calves. The sale begins at 6 p.m.)
Oct. 20                  Fort Scott Livestock Market, Fort Scott, Kan.
Oct. 22                  Pratt Livestock Inc., Pratt, Kan.
Oct. 26                  Saint Onge Livestock Co., Saint Onge, S.D.
Oct. 29                  Faith Livestock Commission Co., Faith, S.D.
Oct. 29                  Pratt Livestock, Inc., Pratt, Kan.
Nov. 1                   Russell Livestock Exchange, Russell, Kan.
Nov. 5                   Pratt Livestock Inc., Pratt, Kan.
Nov. 10                 Fort Scott Livestock Market, Fort Scott, Kan.
Nov. 12                 Pratt Livestock Inc., Pratt, Kan.
Nov. 13                 Woodward Livestock Auction, Woodward, Okla.
Nov. 16                 Woodward Livestock Auction, Woodward, Okla.
Dec. 6                    Russell Livestock Exchange, Russell, Kan.

Participating livestock auction markets are currently taking consignments for calves that qualify for these sales. For further information, contact Ty Groshans, American Angus Association director of commercial programs, at tgroshans@angus.org or 816-383-5193.

* (Here’s the Premium study represents 236,889 calves sold as 10,850 lots from 10 states from 1999 to 2006.)

Beef Industry Scholarship Application Deadline Approaching

Applications are still being accepted for the 2008 Beef Industry Scholarship Program, sponsored by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF) and the CME Group. All entries must be postmarked by Oct. 5, 2007.

Ten scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded to young people pursuing careers in the beef industry. The program encourages talented and thoughtful students who have demonstrated a commitment to a career in the beef industry, either through classes, internships or life experience. Graduating high school seniors or full-time undergraduate students enrolled at a two-year or four-year college for the 2008-2009 academic year are encouraged to apply.

Applications must include a 750-word essay that identifies a key issue confronting the beef industry and suggests a solution. Applicants must also submit a letter expressing future career goals and two letters of recommendation. A full description of the scholarship program and application requirements can be found at www.nationalcattlemensfoundation.org/scholarship.aspx, or obtained by calling 303-850-3345.

In addition to a scholarship, the first-place winner will receive airfare and lodging to attend the Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show in Reno, Nev., Feb. 6-9, 2008.

Risk of Animal-to-Human Disease Transmission on Rise, FAO Says

The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has released a policy brief citing increased global meat and poultry production as a potential danger to increasing the risk of animal-to-human disease transmission.

According to Meatingplace.com, FAO states, “The risk of disease transmission from animals to humans will increase in the future due to human and livestock population growth, dynamic changes in livestock production, the emergence of worldwide agro-food networks and a significant increase in the mobility of people and goods.”

Therefore, FAO encourages meat producers to apply biosecurity measures, refrain from building production sites close to human settlements or wild bird populations, regularly clean and disinfect farms, control staff and vehicle movement, and train employees in biosecurity, according to Meatingplace.com.

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