News Update

News Update
October 30, 2008

AngusSource Celebrates Three Years of Success

Strong demand for Angus genetics and a continuing market for verified cattle led to a 24.8% increase in the number of cattle enrolled in AngusSource® during fiscal year 2008, which ended Sept. 30.

Data collected from Superior Livestock June-September 2008 indicates that cattle enrolled in age- and source-verified programs received $2.08 per hundredweight (cwt.) more than calves that were not source- and age-verified. The data also suggested that calves enrolled in AngusSource had a $1.29-per-cwt. advantage over other source- and age-verified programs, bringing the total value of AngusSource enrollment to $3.37 per cwt.

AngusSource, which recently celebrated its third anniversary, is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) process-verified program (PVP) for Angus-sired cattle. Operated by the American Angus Association, the program began in October 2005 and documents source, age and a minimum of 50% Angus genetics.

“Every facet of the program grew during fiscal year 2008,” says Sara Snider, director of AngusSource. “The average size of each enrollment increased to 146 head, pushing the enrollment numbers this year to more than 113,000 head.”

“A 31% increase in the number of cattle promoted through the program’s online listing site shows that more producers are utilizing all of the marketing support available through AngusSource,” Snider says. “AngusSource goes beyond verification of source, age and genetics. Once cattle are enrolled, producers are able to document additional health and management information prior to marketing. We then add these cattle to an online listing and e-mail the information out to more than 600 potential buyers.”

Enrollments in the AngusSource feedyard umbrella have also grown since being introduced in 2007. Participation allows farmer-feeders and commercial feedyards to market AngusSource cattle directly to packers, qualifying cattle for export to Japan and for age-verified premiums. In fiscal year 2008, 17 feeders marketed nearly 5,000 head through the program giving them access to age-verified premiums of up to $35 per head.

AngusSource is just one of the programs of the American Angus Association designed to help commercial producers market their Angus-sired calves. The Association, with headquarters in Saint Joseph, Mo., provides programs and services to its more than 36,000 members and thousands of commercial cattle producers nationwide. For more information, go to www.angus.org.

— Release provided by the American Angus Association.

SD Stockgrowers Invite Producers to Reva Meeting

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association (SDSGA) encourages everyone involved in the cattle industry to make plans to attend an area meeting in Reva, S.D., on Nov. 6, 2008, for a free supper and discussion about current cattle industry issues.

Join local SDSGA Directors Linda Gilbert, Buffalo, S.D., Shane Kolb, Meadow, S.D., and President Larry Nelson, Buffalo, S.D., at the Reva Hall at 6 p.m. to hear speakers discuss R-CALF USA, the brand inspection program and other issues.

Former and current R-CALF USA Directors Herman Schumacher, Herreid, S.D., and Johnny Smith, Fort Pierre, S.D., will update the crowd on R-CALF USA issues and activities. They will be available to visit and answer questions as well.

Local seedstock producer and Beef Industry Council member Vaughn Meyer will speak to the crowd about the S.D. Beef Industry Council, the S.D. Brand Evaluation Committee and other topics of concern.

SDSGA District 1 Director Linda Gilbert hopes everyone will make plans to join the Stockgrowers for this event. “Local beef will be served for supper, and several top-notch speakers will follow. This promises to be a fun and educational night,” she said.

— Release provided by the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association.

IBC announces “Iowa’s Next Top Inventor” competition

For the second year in a row, the Iowa Beef Center, part of the Iowa State University Extension, will be awarding $3,000 in cash prizes for the organization’s “Iowa’s Next Top Inventor” competition.

Last year’s competition, where the top two finalists received cash prizes totaling $3,000, was deemed a large success, with more than 400 Iowa producers voting for the winner at the 2008 Cornbelt Cow-Calf Conference last February.

The Iowa Beef Center, along with the Iowa Farmer Today, is hosting the competition again in hopes of using the competition’s continued success to bring attention to a problem facing many producers in today’s beef industry: the storing, handling and feeding of wet distillers’ grains.

“With these challenging prices that we’re seeing today, innovative ways to reduce production costs are more important than ever,” IBC Director John Lawrence said.

This year’s entrants, like last year’s, are asked to submit inventions that effectively store, handle or dispense corn coproducts, especially wet distillers’ grains. Participants can build new inventions or modify existing ones.

Similar to last year’s process, a judging panel will choose three finalists, and producers attending the 2009 Cornbelt Cow-Calf Conference will vote for the winner after listening to presentations on the top inventions. All three finalists will receive part of the $3,000: $1,500 for first place, $1,000 for second place, and $500 for third place.

For official rules and details on how to submit an entry into this year’s competition before the Jan. 9, 2009, deadline, along with obtaining an entry form, visit the Iowa Beef Center online at www.iowabeefcenter.org. For more information on the competition, contact John Lawrence at jdlaw@iastate.edu or 515-294-6290.

Release provided by the Iowa Beef Center.

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