News Update
Jan. 7, 2009

Bulletin Readers — Still Time to Submit Survey

Please help us improve the Angus Beef Bulletin by filling out the survey inserted in the October issue or by completing the online version available at www.apisurvey.uark.edu. Complete the survey by Feb. 14, and you will be eligible for a drawing for $2,500 in prizes, including two $500 cash awards.

We are working with the University of Arkansas to do a top-to-bottom evaluation of the publication to ensure we stay on track to meet your needs. Surveys will be submitted to and analyzed by the University of Arkansas, ensuring your anonymity.

USDA Transfers Funds for COOL Implementation

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) plans to move $3.18 million out of its Specialty Crop Block Grant budget of $49 million to help pay for implementation of the country-of-origin labeling program in fiscal year (FY) 2009, according to Meatingplace.com.

The transfer brings the COOL program one step closer to its full operation level during the current fiscal year, Meatingplace.com reports.

Texas Weather Conditions

Texas AgriLife Extension agents reported this week that most Texas agricultural producers continued to suffer dry, if not drought, conditions.
Low soil moisture levels were critical in some areas, limiting the planting of winter wheat and possibly even spring wheat if rainfall patterns don’t change.

The East and Southeastern reporting regions received some rain, but both could use more, particularly the Southeast, according to reports.

“No question, it’s dry and we need a rain,” said J.D. Ragland, AgriLife Extension agent for Floyd County, northeast of Lubbock. “Really, no wheat in Floyd County is responding or growing at this time. Some irrigated fields look decent, but they too need a good rain.”

“Moisture is needed badly,” said Brad Easterling, AgriLife Extension agent for Baylor County, southwest of Wichita Falls. “What few fields were able to be grazed have been grazed to the point of exhaustion or the wheat is simply pulling up due to shallow root systems. Most fields are not even being turned out on and will miss any chance of being grazed.”

For further information or weather summaries categorized by region, visit http://texasextension.tamu.edu/agnews/index.php?id=913.

— Provided by Texas AgriLife Extension.

FCS Financial Announces 2009 Scholarship Program

To encourage and support higher education for relatives of FCS Financial members, FCS Financial will again offer up to 35 scholarships valued at $1,000 each. The scholarship deadline is March 1 and recipients will be notified in April.

To qualify, applicants must be a graduating senior at a Missouri high school, a child or grandchild of an FCS Financial member, and attain a 2.5 or higher GPA, an ACT score of at least 26 or rank in the top 20% of their senior class. The scholarship applicants are then judged on leadership roles, work experience, community involvement and essays by a non-partisan committee. One recipient is selected from qualified applicants at each FCS Financial branch office. Six at-large recipients are also selected from all qualified applicants.

Apply online at www.myfcsfinancial.com. Click on “About Us” then “Scholarship Program.” Relatives of FCS Financial board members or employees are not eligible.

— Adapted from an FCS release.

‘To Market to Market, Adding Value to Your Farm’ Conference, Feb. 5-7

The American Grassfed Association will host its sixth annual conference, titled “To Market to Market, Adding Value to Your Farm,” Feb. 5-7 in Lexington, Ky. The keynote speaker will be the noted author and sustainable agriculture advocate Wendell Berry. The conference is hosted in part by the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Agriculture and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

UK College of Agriculture professionals will lead several conference sessions.
The conference is open to the public. Discounted rates are available. A special reduced rate of $109 per night at the Hyatt Regency Lexington will be available for conference participants. Shuttles will run to and from Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport.

A detailed conference schedule, registration form and complete lodging information can be found on American Grassfed Association’s web site, http://www.americangrassfed.org.

— Release provided by the University of Kentucky.

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