News Update
April 2, 2009

Angus Breeders Make Strides at Identifying AM Genetics

The combination of scientific and technological advancements and the willingness of Angus producers to test their animals, along with efficient communication tools such as the Internet, have aided the American Angus Association® in its efforts to keep the membership informed and abreast of the issues of Arthrogryposis Multiplex (AM), a genetic defect discovered within the breed late in 2008.

“We have tried to be transparent in getting information out to our members and the entire industry in a timely fashion,” says Don Laughlin, Association director of member services. “The fact that we had help from Dr. Jonathan Beever and Dr. David Steffen, experts in veterinary pathology and molecular genetics has helped us gain significant knowledge about AM more quickly than we expected.”

Since the gene has been identified and testing has become available, five labs are now conducting the tests and electronically submitting those results to the Association daily. The results are being posted to the Association’s web site, www.angus.org, and being added to the database. As of March 31, more than 50,000 animals had been tested and reported to the Association. Keep in mind — only the five authorized labs can report to the Association; no individual reports will be accepted by the Association.

With so many animals tested, AAA Login users (registered and commercial) can log in and use the Potential Carrier Report on their account to see exactly which animals they should test first. Animals on the Report are labeled several ways:

• No Carrier Ancestor. The animal listed has no AM carrier in its pedigree or has an ancestor that has been tested free and therefore does not require testing.
  
• Undetermined. The animal is commercial and does not have enough information in its pedigree to determine parentage.
  
• Potential Carrier. The animal has one or more ancestors in its pedigree that is a carrier and should be tested to find out definite status.
  

Laughlin notes that as of July 1, 2009, any animals that are “potential carriers” will carry a notation on their pedigrees, both printed and online, that will state that they are such.

Although a veterinarian is not required to pull samples when submitting tissue, hair or blood to a testing lab, it is vital to submit the correct sample, the correct form and follow the directions carefully. Each lab has different forms, requires different samples and has different price structures, so breeders should read and follow all instructions carefully.

All the authorized labs’ contact and testing information can be accessed on the Angus homepage at www.angus.org. Once the breeder has selected the lab, collected the respective sample to submit, he or she should be sure that sample is correctly identified. Laughlin suggests giving the lab 10-14 days for testing and/or to obtain test results. If the animals’ results are not on the Web site after that time, call the lab to be sure that it received everything it needed.

For more information about testing for AM or any information about the American Angus Association and its programs, visit www.angus.org or call 816-383-5100.

— Release provided by American Angus Association

Profitablity Seminars Focus on Cow-Calf Producers

The Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) and Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health will host three cow-calf profitability seminars during April. These seminars are designed to help ranchers address the challenges of today’s beef industry, including rising input costs and escalating land values, by providing practical management information that can be applied to any operation.

Minimizing production costs is more important than ever in the current environment of volatile markets. Management and marketing decisions that have worked in the past may not be the best options today. Kansas State University (K-State) animal nutritionist KC Olson will provide several suggestions on how cow-calf producers might be able to reduce input costs using practical management methods. Intervet/Schering-Plough Senior Territory Manager Ron Hinrichsen will take it one step further by explaining how producers can increase value and efficiency through health programs and implants.

Ranchland Trust of Kansas (RTK) Executive Director Mike Beam will discuss how to add value to existing operations through nontraditional land use and conservation. RTK specializes in establishing conservation easements, which are used to protect agricultural land and native grass pasture from urbanization.

Another session will focus on setting priorities for business and life. K-State Animal Sciences & Industry Department Head Ken Odde will explain the importance of practicing good time management and setting business goals. During his presentation, Odde will provide organizational tips that can be used to accomplish both.

The seminars will take place April 7 at the Farmers and Ranchers Livestock Commission Co. in Salina; April 9 at the K-State Ag Research Center in Hays; and April 14 at the Youth and 4-H Community Center in Pratt. Each seminar is free and will begin with dinner at 5:30 p.m. Those wanting to attend can find more information and a registration form at www.kla.org/calendar.htm. The registration deadline for all three seminars is April 3.

— Release provided by KLA

U.S. Ag Trade to Cuba Continues Upswing

U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba reached $715 million in 2008 despite turbulent global economic conditions, according to a Texas AgriLife Extension economist.

A weaker dollar, lower commodity prices and a series of hurricanes that reduced Cuba’s food supply all contributed to the upturn in U.S. exports, said Dr. Parr Rosson, AgriLife Extension economist and director of the Center for North American Studies at Texas A&M University.

Total economic impact of U.S. agricultural export trade with Cuba since 2003 has reached $1.9 billion and led to more than 36,000 jobs.

“It’s a market that has grown surprisingly fast given the economic conditions in that country,” Rosson said.

Rosson recently gave an economic impact presentation of U.S. agricultural export trade with Cuba at the XI International Conference on Globalization and Development Problems in Havana.

In 2002, more than $140 million in U.S.-produced agricultural products were exported to Cuba. That jumped to $715 million in 2008, factoring in higher tonnage and increased commodity prices, Rosson said. The number of jobs resulting from trade with Cuba has also been on the upswing.

“The ability to require about 14,000 jobs or workers to support that trade is significant,” he said. “About 95% of the economic gains are in the grains sector since the U.S. exports primarily corn, wheat, processed poultry, soybeans and soybean products.”

Job creation has also resulted in the following sectors: transportation, finance-banking, real estate, health care, food, beverage, banking and fuel and energy, Rosson said. “The impacts are quite widespread since everything with Cuba is all on a cash basis,” he said.

The outlook for the future is “very cloudy,” according to Rosson.

“There were $67 million in purchases by Cuba during the first quarter of this year,” he said. “However, the downside is the worldwide economic situation. The nickel market has crashed so that means less money, with prices falling from $13 per pound last year to under $6 per pound currently. Tourism is big business in Cuba as well, and a projected downturn in the number of people visiting the country is expected to further impact the economy.”

Rice purchases have already shifted from the U.S. to Vietnam, Rosson said.

“They sell it cheaper and last year when commodity prices were so high in the U.S., they had to look elsewhere for a cheaper price,” he said.

A workshop on exporting to Cuba will be held May 14 in Houston at Brady’s Landing, 8505 Cypress St. The workshop is open to export service providers, food processors, distributors, forestry businesses and producers, and its goal is to help them succeed in the Cuban market, Rosson said.

For more details, visit the Texas-Cuba Trade Alliance Web site at http://www.tcta.us. For more information, contact Rosson at 979-845-3070 or e-mail prosson@tamu.edu.

— Written by Blair Fannin, provided by Texas AgriLife Extension.

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