News Update

News Update
October 8, 2008

Visit www.appliedreprostrategies.com for Coverage of ARSBC

Angus Productions Inc. (API) will provide online coverage of the Robert Taylor Memorial Symposium: Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle, scheduled for Dec. 2-3 at the Hilton Hotel in Fort Collins, Colo.

The workshops are designed to improve the understanding of the physiological processes of the estrous cycle, currently available procedures to synchronize estrus and ovulation, and the proper application of these systems. They will also focus on improving participants’ understanding of methods to assess male fertility and how it affects the success of AI programs.

API’s site, available at www.appliedreprostrategies.com, features a program schedule, hotel and travel information, links to a conference brochure and online registration, and other pertinent information regarding the event. After the meeting, visit the newsroom for summaries of the presentations, as well as PowerPoint presentations, proceedings, audio and photo galleries of the event as available.

Angus Breed Continues as Beef Industry Leader

Business for the American Angus Association® remained strong for fiscal year 2008, which ended Sept. 30. In addition, Association members are increasingly embracing the programs and technology provided to them.

“Our year-end statistics continue to demonstrate strong demand and extensive market penetration that Angus genetics enjoy,” says Bryce Schumann, chief executive officer (CEO) of the American Angus Association. “These results underscore our members’ commitment to providing genetic solutions to the beef cattle industry.”

Registrations remained strong for 2008, with 333,766 registrations processed. Transfers, which represent the sales of cattle to new owners, increased from the past year, with more than 208,000 processed, indicating amplified demand for Angus genetics. Nearly 13% of the recorded calves were the result of embryo transfer, and nearly 53% of the registered calves were artificial insemination (AI)-sired, both significant increases compared to 2007.

This year marks the 50th anniversary for performance programs, and Angus breeders continue to use Beef Improvement Records (BIR) to document performance while maintaining focus on genetic improvement. Breeders submitted more than 357,000 weaning weights, setting a new record for the breed. Additionally, yearling ultrasound measurements on nearly 161,700 animals were submitted, marking a continued increase in the use of that technology.

AngusSource,® a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Process Verified Program (PVP) for Angus-sired calves that documents age, source and genetics also charted exponential growth this year, enrolling more than 113,000 head. Average size of the enrollment lots rose from 104 to 146 head. Producers continue to realize the marketing benefits of the program, with 31% more cattle posted to the online listing of cattle for sale.

A record high 14.2 million cattle were identified for the Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) brand, which sold 634 million pounds (lb.) of CAB products this year, an all-time record in the 30 years of the branded-beef program.

— Release provided by the American Angus Association

BSE trade restrictions cost U.S. $11 billion: ITC report

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) released a report estimating that trade restrictions resulting from bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) cost the U.S. cattle industry $11 billion from 2004 to 2007.

Farm-gate sales of cattle and calves during that period were $195.5 billion, so the $11 billion in losses estimated by the ITC translates to 5.6% of cattle producers’ income, according to a news release from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). The report also estimated that tariffs and tariff-rate quota restrictions cost the industry another $6.3 billion from 2004 to 2007.

— Release provided by Meatingplace.com

— compiled by Mathew Elliott, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.