News Update

News Update
March 20, 2008

AngusSource® Announces Contest to hit CAB® Target

Anyone who produces a crop of at least 38 calves from registered Angus bulls can again put them to the test in a national contest. The 2008 AngusSource® Carcass Challenge (ASCC) opens in April as the latest in a long tradition of proving Angus genetics in the feedlot and packing plant.

Sara Moyer, director of AngusSource for the American Angus Association,® said the contest will operate exclusively through Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB)-licensed feedlots.

“Those who want to enter cattle for April or later harvest in CAB plants should contact their CAB feedlot,” Moyer said. “The feedlots may obtain entry forms through the CAB supply development office or AngusSource. There is no entry fee.”

The ASCC has evolved from earlier CAB contests such as the Value Discovery Project, Best of the Breed (BoB) and most recently, the National Angus Carcass Challenge (NACC; 2003-06). “CAB welcomes the opportunity to continue working with Angus producers to help showcase their best efforts,” said Mark McCully, supply development director.

To be eligible, calves must be enrolled in AngusSource at the ranch of origin and fed in a CAB-licensed feedyard. The 38 calves can be steers, heifers or a mixed-sex group. They can come from multiple operations, but all must be harvested in one lot, and prizes will be awarded to the feeder and owner based on documented Angus genetics that hit the Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) brand target.

The contest aims to promote the value of feeding high-percentage Angus cattle. AngusSource, a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Process Verified Program (PVP), was developed in October 2005 for Angus-sired calves. The program, which enrolled nearly 100,000 calves last year, verifies source, age and a minimum of 50% Angus genetics.

“Through the USDA PVP, AngusSource calves are eligible for the age verification premiums offered by many packers,” Moyer said. “But the real value is in the genetics. CAB data show that Angus calves are healthier, perform better on feed and, through CAB, provide consumers with an unparalleled product.”

Knowledge is power. “By documenting what they know, which for many of our producers includes health and management information, we help our customers realize the full value of their Angus-sired calves,” Moyer explained. “At the same time, AngusSource assists feeders in identifying the types of cattle that fit their target market.”

The contest recognizes quarterly winners in five regions (see map). An overall winner and prize will be awarded at the end of the calendar year. Carcass data collected by CAB staff will be used to identify winning pens, determined solely on CAB acceptance rate, with additional carcass considerations for tie breaks. “The current CAB specifications reward producers for hitting the target consumers demand most,” McCully noted.

Those include mid-Choice or higher marbling, ribeye area of 10 to 16 inches (in.), carcass weight less than 1,000 pounds (lb.) and external fat less than an inch, along with six other specifications.

To review all the specifications visit www.cabpartners.com. Click on “Feedlots” to see a list of CAB-licensed yards where contest cattle may be fed.

Dollar amounts for prizes are not yet established but will be modest, Moyer said. “The value is in the information and recognition,” she said. “We are excited to partner with the CAB program in this contest that recognizes the value of AngusSource calves in supplying the CAB brand.” To learn more about the AngusSource program or the ASCC, visit www.angussource.com, e-mail smoyer@angus.org, or call 816-383-5100.

Legislation Introduced to Stiffen Penalities for Processing Downers

Last week Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) introduced legislation that would shut down harvesting facilities that repeatedly process downed animals of all species and proposes fines and other penalties for first- and second-time violators, the American Meat Institute (AMI) reports.

Under this legislation, penalties would include: A fine for a first violation, based upon a percentage of the facility’s gross income. The Secretary of Agriculture would determine the percentage. USDA inspection services would be suspended for one year following a second violation, effectively shutting down the facility during that time. A third violation would require the USDA to withdraw the facility’s Grant of Inspection — resulting in the permanent shutdown of the facility. The bill also would require the USDA to release the names of establishments that have received recalled products, according to AMI. The bill is being co-sponsored by Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii).

Charitable Donations to Animal Rights Groups Increase 5%

Charitable donations to animal-rights groups rose 5% in 2006, according to a new analysis by the Animal Agriculture Alliance. Donations to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) increased by 17%. According to report highlights from AMI, donations to PETA’s Foundation to Support Animal Protection (FSAP) also posted a double-digit increase, jumping 18%. The findings come from the 2007 Animal People Watchdog Report on 150 Animal Charities.

AMI reports that the Animal Agriculture Alliance analysis also showed that the largest animal-rights activist group in the United States, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), increased donations by 9%, including its subsidiary organizations the Fund for Animals, Doris Day Animal League (DDAL) and Doris Day Animal Foundation (DDAF).

This increase builds on a 62% increase in donations the organization garnered in 2005. It is important to note that all numbers for HSUS exclude Humane Society International, the international branch of HSUS, which was estimated to have revenues of $3 million. Other groups such as Friends of Animals (FoA) also posted gains. Total donations to animal-rights groups in 2006 equaled approximately $295.8 million. For more information visit http://www.animalagalliance.org/main/home.cfm?Section=2008_0318_
Charitable&Category=PressReleases.

— Adapted from an AMI release.

Secretary Schafer to Address NIAA Annual Meeting Attendees

Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer is scheduled to speak during the opening general session of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) annual meeting in Indianapolis, Ind., Tuesday, April 1.

In addition to Secretary Schafer, Tuesday’s opening general session will feature presentations on several topics, including: the development and direction of the animal protection movement; animal care and ethical perspectives; the U.S. political arena; and animal care.

Full registration covers Tuesday’s opening general session, all NIAA committee meetings, and Thursday’s one-day ID.INFO Workshop as well as the “Welcome to Indiana” reception and NIAA’s recognition banquet. Full registration is $425, with students qualifying for a special discount. A schedule of events for NIAA’s annual meeting and the 2008 ID.INFO Workshop, meeting registration, list of NIAA committees and hotel information are available at the NIAA website, www.animalagriculture.org. Individuals are also welcome to call NIAA at 270-782-9798.

USDA Awards $5M in Air Quality Grants

USDA is awarding $5 million to 11 universities to conduct air quality projects aimed at developing and evaluating emission control technologies that will lead to developing emission data for agriculture production practices and mitigation techniques.

The grants program funds research to increase knowledge about the transport, measurement and control of odor, gases and particulate matter. The education and outreach component of the program includes transferring technologies and best practices to producers and the regulatory community to lessen the production and transport of air pollutants and greenhouse gases.

The awards are administered by USDA’s Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) through the National Research Initiative (NRI) Air Quality competitive grants program. In the past five years, the CSREES air quality program has awarded more than $20 million in grants.

For more information and a list of funded projects, visit www.csrees.usda.gov.

Livestock Judges and Show Management School June 26-29

The 2008 Pacific Northwest Livestock Judges and Show Management School is scheduled June 26-28 at Washington State University (WSU). The school is sponsored by WSU, the University of Idaho and Oregon State University and serves as a learning opportunity for new and experienced judges, show managers, fair superintendents, livestock sale committee volunteers, 4-H leaders, FFA advisors, parents, producers and livestock enthusiasts.

The event has been organized to improve the livestock industry by developing participants’ skills to effectively and accurately evaluate exhibition food animals; promote positive youth development; and showcase the benefits of animal agriculture and youth development programs.

Participants can select either the judges’ or show management track.

Individuals completing the show management track will gain many helpful tools to improve the quality of their fairs and livestock shows. The track will focus on financial management and accounting of the sale of market animals, emergency planning, show management and livestock sale software, and expectations of animal buyers. The show management section will feature state and national experts on the above topics.

The judges’ track will focus on beef, meat goats, sheep and swine. The swine and beef cattle evaluation section will be led by Mark Boggess, director of animal sciences with the National Pork Board. Boggess has owned and operated purebred cattle and swine operations. Boggess is recognized for his excellent communication skills and knowledge of both the show and production livestock industries. Completion of the livestock judges’ track will certify the person as a livestock judge, and contact information will be distributed to shows and other livestock events throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Registration for the livestock judge’s track costs $175 for three full days. The fee includes a judge’s notebook, three lunches, a banquet and refreshment breaks. Registration for the show management track is $100 for two days. The fee includes a notebook, two lunches, a banquet and refreshment breaks. The registration deadline is June 1. Registration for the livestock judges’ track is limited; register early to secure your spot.

For more information and to register, contact Sarah Smith, WSU Grant/Adams Extension, at 509-754-2011, ext. 413, or smithsm@wsu.edu; Jerry Newman, WSU 4-H Livestock Program, at 509-338-5938 or newmanj@wsu.edu; or Tiffany Boswell, 4-H program assistant, at 509-335-4128 or tiffany_boswell@wsu.edu. Complete registration information is also available at http://animalag.wsu.edu or http://4-h.wsu.edu/news/index.htm.

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