News Update
Feb. 6, 2009

National Western a Possible Link to E. coli Outbreak

Colorado health officials are investigating an E. coli outbreak that has infected 20 people, 16 of whom attended the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) last month, according to the Denver Post.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is now investigating the possible link to the NWSS, which saw more than 643,100 visitors, including children who attended through school- or care center-organized trips to the show, Denver’s ABC affiliate Channel 7 News reports.

Chris Urbina, director of Denver Public Health, told the Denver Post that reported victims included 19 children with a median age of 4 years old. The youngest is 17 months old, and the oldest is an infected 66-year-old adult. Urbina said as investigators try to determine the source of the contamination more reported E. coli cases are likely given the strain’s eight-day incubation period and the ease in which the bacteria can be spread, especially among young children.

Urbina told the Denver Post the NWSS is fully cooperating with the investigation, although an official there said there is not yet conclusive evidence that the outbreak is linked to the show. Pat Grant, NWSS president and chief executive, said it would likely be later this week or early next week before conclusive test results are known.

Until then, state investigators will continue working to pinpoint the cause of the outbreak and suggest child care centers take extra precautions such as hand-washing and disinfectant use and report possible symptoms, including: abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, low-grade fever and vomiting. The O157:H7 strain is fatal in approximately one in 50 cases and can infect blood and kidneys and possibly cause kidney failure, the article reports.

“The Gift of the Horse” Brings in $11,000 to Support Angus Youth

The American Angus Auxiliary’s fundraising initiative, “The Gift of the Horse,” raised $11,000 from the sale of SF Blue Sky McMaxill, a 2-year-old Blue Roan Quarter Horse known as “Blue” and donated by the Spader Family, Rosendale, Mo.

Angus supporters, Tucker and Vickie Link, Kiamichi Link Ranch, Finley, Okla., purchased “Blue” during a special portion of the Trowbridge Family and Friends Invitational Angus Sale held in conjunction with the 2009 NWSS in Denver, Colo. Scott and Kathy Ledbetter, Lone Oaks Farm, Middleton Tenn., were the contending bidders. “The money generated from the sale of Blue will be used to benefit the Auxiliary scholarship fund,” says Auxiliary President Michelle Rieff. “This generous contribution will help ensure the future of Angus and Angus youth,” she adds.

This distinct fundraising endeavor highlights the contributions of Angus enthusiasts to support the future of the breed and National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) members in particular. Tucker Link is quick to point out that the ranch’s contribution is, “only a small portion of the project.” . Link notes that providing scholarship and awards opportunities for junior Angus members is the most important part of this fundraiser. He humbly acknowledges the creation of such opportunities is primarily due to the Spaders’ generous gift and the combined support of all involved with the project. Rieff also notes the momentum for this unique fundraiser.

“Because of the Auxiliary’s relationship with the Spader family, this fundraising project was extra, extra special. The Spaders have deep roots with the Angus family,” Rieff says.

Those deep roots created additional avenues of generosity from many Angus supporters. “This project was an opportunity for many Angus supporters to work together as a team. It was amazing to watch the project develop and to see all the excitement that existed around ‘Blue,’ ” Rieff remarks. In addition to the generosity of the Links and the Spader family, the time and services given by Angus supporters, including Rich Masoner, Rhonda McCurry, Jerry Lehmann, Stuart Wilson, Phil Trowbridge, Auxiliary members and other Angus friends, ensure “The Gift of the Horse” is one that will continually give.

For more information about the American Angus Auxiliary, visit www.angusauxiliary.com.

— Release provided by the American Angus Association.

First-Annual NCBA Youth Contest Winners Announced

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has announced the winners of the first-annual youth contests held during the 2009 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show in Phoenix, Ariz., on Jan. 28-31. The programs, for young people ages 9 to young adult, are focused on education, leadership and teamwork. NCBA Youth contests included team marketing, quiz bowl, prepared public speaking and cattle judging.

The team marketing contest had seven teams compete, with 19 total contestants.The senior team winner’s were from the Florida Cattlemen’s Association: Phillip Horvath, Tara Harrison, Victoria Horvath, and the collegiate team winners were from Colorado State University: Cheyenne Dixon, Alicia Miller, Jolynn Sakugawa.

The Beef Quiz Bowl had four teams competing. The first-place team represented the Florida Cattlemen’s Association: Cody Corson, Thomas Richmond, J.K. Yarborough, and Brittany Warren.

The prepared public speaking contest had 15 contestants competing in three age groups. The winners were: Justis Marshall, Burlington, Colo., (10 and under); Steven Bigelow, Duncan, Ariz., (11-14); and Kaitlyn Gill, Lithia, Fla., (15-19).

The cattle judging contest included a novice division (under age 9 or first-timers under age 11); junior division (ages 9-14); senior division (ages 14 to 19); and college division. A total of 60 contestants competed in the four categories. The winners were:  

Collegiate: 1st High Team Overall – Colorado State University; 1st High Individual Overall – Dominic DiSanti from Colorado State University

Senior: 1st High Team Overall – North American South Devon team; 1st High Individual Overall – Curtis Doubet, North American South Devon

Junior: 1st High Individual Overall – Ty Gatlin, Reserve, N.M.

Novice: 1st High Individual Overall – Jake Edleman, Willow Lake, S.D.

The youth contests were coordinated by NCBA and exclusively sponsored by a grant from The Farm Credit System Foundation. 

— Adapted from a release provided by NCBA.

Beef Industry Vision Awards Announced

The 2009 Beef Industry Vision Awards, presented by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF), were announced last week at the Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show in Phoenix, Ariz.

The Vision Award, sponsored by Micro Beef Technologies, Amarillo, Texas, recognizes individuals, businesses and organizations in the cattle industry that have incorporated innovation into their operation in an effort to enhance not only their business, but also the industry as a whole. The award honors winners in all segments of the beef industry: cow-calf operation, feeding operation, livestock market, packer-processor and retail. Nominees were evaluated on the basis of effective use of technology, impact on production costs, ingenuity of implementation, innovative marketing, impact on the industry and optimum resource management.

Vision Award winners included: Lykes Bros. Inc., Okeechobee, Fla., Cow-Calf Winner; Lee Borck, Innovative Livestock Services, Larned, Kan., Feeding Operation Winner; Western Video Market, Shasta, Calif., Livestock Market Winner; Cargill Meat Solutions, Wichita, Kan., and Caviness Beef Packers, LTD, Hereford, Texas, tied for Packer/Processor Winner; and Harris Teeter, Charlotte, N.C., Retail Winner.

— Release provided by NCF.

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