News Update
Feb. 25, 2009

Apply Today for Beef Leaders Institute

Don’t miss your chance to attend the second annual Beef Leaders Institute (BLI); applications are due to the American Angus Association® next Monday, March 2.

Young Angus producers interested in networking with others, learning more about the Association and exploring the beef production system should apply to the 2009 BLI now. The BLI is designed for American Angus Association members, 25-45 years old, as a resource to provide insight to all segments of the beef industry.

BLI is set for May 31-June 3, and begins at the Association’s headquarters in Saint Joseph, Mo. This marks the second year for the BLI, a three-day intensive tour of various segments of the industry including feeding, packing, marketing and retail outlets. In addition, the attendees, all members of the Association, put themselves into the consumer role to gain added perspective on beef consumption.

“The BLI gives our younger Association members the opportunity to get off the farm or ranch for a few days to network with their peers, while gaining knowledge of the American Angus Association and the entire beef industry,” says Shelia Stannard, director of communications and events for the Association. “With the financial assistance of the Angus Foundation, which supports education, youth and research, we can provide BLI to our membership at little cost to them.”

BLI is limited to 20 participants each year to facilitate discussion and tours. Selection is based on application, and all applications are due to the Association by March 2. Once selected, attendees must provide their own round-trip transportation between their home and Kansas City International Airport, or Saint Joseph, Mo., if driving. The Association provides transportation during the BLI, as well as lodging, meals and materials. For further information or an application, visit www.angus.org or contact Stannard by calling 816-383-5100.

— Provided by the American Angus Association.

American Angus Association Requests Reporting on Certain Calves

At the request of Dr. David Steffen of the University of Nebraska, the American Angus Association is asking members to be on the lookout for two separate and distinct types of calves, specifically (1) any calves with severe hydrocephalus, and (2) any calves displaying characteristics of a condition referred to as fawn calf syndrome (FCS).

For Dr. Steffen’s notice and description of hydrocephalus and FCS, visit www.angus.org/req_info.html.

NFU President Buis to Step Down

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Tom Buis announced today he will be stepping down as NFU President, effective March 15, to serve as chief executive officer (CEO) of Growth Energy. His successor will be chosen by Farmers Union delegates at the upcoming national convention March 8-10 in Washington, D.C.

Buis, who was elected NFU president in 2006 and again in 2008, said representing America’s family farmers, ranchers and rural citizens has been a privilege and an honor.

NMSU Hidalgo County Extension Hosts Cattleman’s Survival Course

Cattlemen can get the latest update on bovine tuberculosis (TB) in New Mexico during the third annual Southwestern New Mexico Cattleman’s Survival Course presented by New Mexico State University (NMSU) Hidalgo County Cooperative Extension Service.

The course will begin at 9 a.m., Thursday, March 26, at the Animas Community Center in Animas. Cost is $10 per person, which includes lunch sponsored by the Hidalgo County Cattlegrowers Association.

“With these hard economic times, it is important for all businesses to find ways to lower costs; this is what business survival is all about. This is what we try to do with this annual program,” said Christy Rubio, Hidalgo County Extension agricultural agent. “The content is based on what the producers in the area want, and the tools they feel they need to survive these tough times.”

The program will cover:

• how to read expected progeny difference reports (EPDs);
  
• ranch cattle marketing options for southwestern New Mexico;
  
• a bovine TB in New Mexico update;
  
• forward-contracting and rancher co-ops;
  
• steps to make your calves eligible for foreign markets; and
  
• noxious weed control programs in Hidalgo and Grant counties.
  

To register, call Hidalgo County Extension office at 575-542-9291.

— Provided by NMSU.

Beef Industry Safety Summit March 4-6

The 2009 Beef Industry Safety Summit will be March 4-6 at the Hyatt Regency, Mission Bay in San Diego, Calif. The summit will bring together safety professionals who work in all sectors of the beef production, processing and marketing chain.

Attendees will interact with leading Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) experts and learn practical solutions to daily challenges; discuss current safety issues with representatives from all sectors of the beef industry; build their knowledge on beef chain pathogens; network with colleagues and representatives from all sectors of the beef industry, government agencies and the research community; and determine future courses of action to help reduce foodborne pathogen incidence and enhance the safety of U.S. beef products.

For more information and to register, please click here www.bifsco.org.

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