News Update

News Update
July 23, 2008

Oil Takes $5 Dive

Oil prices fell $5.09 today, CNN reports, reaching $125.95 per barrel at 11:35 p.m. Eastern time. The article cited four factors leading to the drop in light, sweet crude, including the weakened economy, reduced gas demand, Tropical Storm Dolly and increasingly strained Iran-U.S. relations.
Oil prices fell more than $16 per barrel total last week.

NJAS Coverage Still Available Online

Wish you could have been at the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) last week in Des Moines, Iowa? Just visit one or both of these web sites hosting complete NJAS coverage.

Visit www.njas.info for show results, contest placings, candid photos and a complete schedule.
For a unique “behind the scenes” look at the NJAS, visit www.youtube.com and search for “National Junior Angus Show” or simply visit www.youtube.com/user/apicreativemedia.

There are eight videos available. Videos cover events ranging from the showmanship preliminaries to bred-and-owned and owned shows, the Auxiliary-sponsored All-American Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) Cook-Off, opening ceremonies and scenes from around the barns. Video coverage is provided by Angus Productions Inc. (API) Creative Media.

Additions Made to www.bifconference.com

Several additions have been made to www.bifconference.com, featuring API’s online coverage of the 2008 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Annual Meeting and Research Symposium. Visit the site now for summaries of general session and committee presentations, as well as the audio and PowerPoint presentations for Igenity’s SNP Parentage Symposium.

Georgia Angus Association Office Moves

The Georgia Angus Association office has moved. Please direct all correspondence to the following: Georgia Angus Association, 638 Lake Crest Dr., Jefferson, GA 30549; 706-387-0656; info@georgiaangus.org; or www.georgiaangus.org.

Woman Tests Positive for Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

An elderly Massachusetts woman has tested positive for the rare brain disease Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, according to public health officials cited in a Boston Globe article.

The unidentified Cape Cod Hospital patient had not been tested for the variant linked to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), but further testes will be conducted to determine the cause of the illness. According to the Boston Globe, state disease trackers said there is nothing to suggest that her case is associated with BSE.

Web Site to Discuss Future of Environmental Rules for Animal Agriculture

Agricultural professionals looking to stay ahead of the curve on environmental rules that affect animal agriculture are invited to log on to EcoAgri.Biz to register for an educational webinar that will take place July 30.

EcoAgri.Biz is the first web site in the world to provide companies and individuals in agrifoods markets with practical sustainability advice and solutions to help them meet the new set of environmental challenges and policies/regulations.

EcoAgri.Biz will present the Future of Environmental Rules for Animal Agriculture, hosted by Thomas Hebert of Ogilvy Government Relations. Hebert will provide a look into where environmental regulations are heading for livestock industry professionals, and how they need to prepare. The webinar also will touch on key waste management issues and the future of air quality regulations for livestock producers.

To register for the webinar, log on to www.EcoAgri.Biz.

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