News Update
Nov. 19, 2008

Prize deadline nears

Don’t miss your chance to win one of $2,500 in prizes, including two $500 cash prizes!

Submit your Angus Journal® readership survey — available on page 336 of the September 2008 issue or online at www.apisurvey.uark.edu — by Thursday, Nov. 20 to be entered into the drawing. Your opinions will help set the future direction of the magazine.

K-State Ag Profitability Conferences Set for Winter

The current roller coaster economy is making it harder than ever to plan for a profitable future. To help Kansas agricultural producers keep informed of trends, opportunities and challenges, Kansas State University (K-State) Research and Extension will host Ag Profitability conferences during the next three months.

The conferences will be in six locations around the state to give farmers and ranchers the option to choose the location most convenient for them. The programs vary somewhat at each location, but they will cover such topics as grain market situation and outlook; bio-energy trends and economic impact; cattle outlook; land ownership; 2008 Farm Bill; crop insurance changes, land lease arrangements; affordability of technology; fertilizer profitability; labor efficiency; managing risk using AgManager.info; fertilizer prices/breakeven; and more.

The dates and locations for each conference are:

• Dec. 9 — Wichita — 4-H Hall, 7001 W. 21st. St.
  
• Dec. 17 — LaCrosse — City Auditorium, 417 Main St.
  
• Jan. 27, 2009 — Downs — Memorial Hall, 500 Morgan Ave.
  
• Jan. 29 — Lyons — Rice Co. Extension office, 701 E. Main St.
  
• Feb. 26 — Goodland — Specific location to be announced.
  
• Feb. 27 — Garden City — K-State SW Research-Extension Center, 4500 E. Mary St.
  

More detailed information about registration and the topics to be covered at each location is available on the web at http://www.agmanager.info/events/ or by calling 785-532-1504.

— Release provided by K-State Research and Extension.

NIAA’s Annual Meeting Planned for March 31-April 1

The dates, location and theme for the 2009 National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) annual meeting have been set, and individuals involved in animal agriculture — the beef, dairy, swine, sheep, goat, equine and poultry industries — are encouraged to attend and participate in the two-day event March 31-April 1 at the Galt House Hotel and Suites in Louisville, Ky.

Themed, “The Changing Face of Animal Agriculture,” the NIAA annual meeting is meant to bring together all of animal agriculture and those involved in animal agriculture, Michele Vise-Brown, NIAA chief executive officer (CEO), said.

Dr. Robert Fourdraine, NIAA annual meeting planning group chair, says this year’s annual meeting theme was selected because animal agriculture is changing, and all of animal agriculture should understand those changes.

“Several segments of society are working to change the public’s perception of animal agriculture in a not-so-favorable light,” Dr. Robert Fourdraine states. “Cognizant of this objective, NIAA will tackle three key needs at its 2009 annual meeting.

“We’ll look at the need for us to understand today’s changing environment and the ‘why’ behind the changing environment, the need to develop relevant messages for our diverse audiences and the need to unite and take a proactive approach to foster consumer trust.”

Dr. Mark Engle, NIAA annual meeting planning group vice chair, explains that NIAA’s annual meeting is more than just the opening general session. “Committee sessions are a big part of NIAA’s annual meeting, and it is in the committee sessions where animal agriculture is shaped,” Dr. Engle explains. “Committee members are integrally involved in addressing key issues affecting animal agriculture.”

“In addition to the species-specific committees, NIAA has six issue-based committees: animal care; animal health emergency management; animal health and international trade; animal identification and information systems; animal production food safety and security; and emerging diseases. You can pick and choose from among these issue-based committees or move from one committee meeting to the other.”

Registration for the two-day event is $450, with a $50 discount if you register before Feb. 20. Additional discounts are available to NIAA full members and affiliate members along with a New Member incentive. To learn more about the NIAA’s 2009 annual meeting or to register for the meeting, please visit www.animalagriculture.org or call 270-782-9798.

— Release provided by NIAA.

Consumer Price Index Plunges While Food Prices Rise

U.S. consumer prices in October plunged by the steepest amount since the Labor Department began keeping records in 1947, Meatingplace.com reports.

According to the article, prices fell 1% during the month on a seasonally adjusted basis, with energy prices plunging 8.6%.

Food prices, however, which account for about a fifth of the CPI, increased 0.3% in October after a 0.6% increase in September. Food price rises are clearly slowing, as October showed the smallest price gain since May, Meatingplace.com reported.

The price index for meats, poultry, fish and eggs rose 0.6%, while the index for fruits and vegetables fell 2.2%.

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