News Update
May 1, 2009

BIF Meeting Ongoing

The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) began its Annual Research Symposium and Annual Meeting this week in Sacramento, Calif., April 30-May 3.

Themed “Beef Rush ’09,” the event will feature the latest information and advances in beef cattle genetic selection, technology and research. Topics discussed at the meeting will include the bovine genome and related possibilities in cattle selection; DNA data in the selection process; feedlot market-assisted management; feed efficiency; crossbreeding; beef production in a high-cost economy; and more.

BIF committee meetings are also scheduled, and will feature advancements in emerging technologies; live animal, carcass and end point; cow herd efficiency; genetic prediction; and producer applications.

In addition, three tours are available at the 2009 BIF Annual Research Symposium and Annual Meeting.

Events began Thursday, April 30, with the eastern tour, “Foothill Bovines, Equines and Fine Wines”; the opening reception; and the biennial National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB) Symposium. Spouses were able to participate in the “Sacramento Highlights” tour today as meeting attendees attended the general sessions in the morning and the BIF awards luncheon featuring commercial producers of the year, followed by committee meetings during the afternoon. This evening features a reception and winetasting followed by dinner at the California Railroad Museum. Saturday morning’s general sessions will be followed by presentation of BIF awards, including seedstock producer of the year. The meeting portion of Beef Rush ’09 will wrap up with committee meetings Saturday afternoon. Participants can stay Sunday for the western tour, themed “Ocean, Wines, Views and Bovines.”

The California Cattlemen’s Association and the California Beef Cattle Improvement Association are hosting the event, and Angus Productions Inc. (API) and Biozyme Inc., both of Saint Joseph, Mo., are providing online coverage of the meetings — available at www.bifconference.com.

Explore the site now to view the schedule. During and after the meeting, the Newsroom, Symposium Papers, Photo Galleries and Award Winner pages will feature API’s complete coverage of the event.

Visit www.bifconference.com for the latest BIF Annual Research Symposium and Annual Meeting information.

Association Update on NH

Wednesday, April 29, the Board of Directors of the American Angus Association conducted a special meeting by phone. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the ongoing work of a Special Committee appointed by the Board to examine the Association’s recently-enacted genetic defect policy and that policy’s applicability to Neuropathic Hydrocephalus (NH). Visit www.angus.org for further information.

Order Black Books Now

Now is the time to place your order for the 2010 Beef Record Service (BRS)/AngusSource® black books. The pocket-sized books include a 2010 calendar as well as space to keep management records on your cow herd.

The books make a great promotional tool or gift for your commercial bull buyers. You can custom-order your books for $3 each to include your operation’s logo and contact information foil-stamped onto the back cover. Custom orders require a 100-book minimum order. If you would like to order smaller quantities with the Association’s logo on the back cover, those are available for $3 each.

BioZyme, through the Angus Foundation, is a major partner in the production of these books, and a VitaFerm® ad will appear on the inside front cover, which reduces book costs to producers. Custom orders must be placed by July 15.

To place orders, contact Kristin Toll, the BRS/AngusSource black book representative, at 816-383-5100 or send e-mail to Kristin Toll.

Books will be shipped to you by Nov. 15 — just in time to distribute to your customers during the fall marketing and holiday seasons.

— Information provided by American Angus Association.

Regional Managers Provide Cattle Producers Valuable Resource

The team of 13 highly qualified and knowledgeable regional managers (RMs) who represent the American Angus Association® across the country is perhaps the best resource offered to cattle producer-members of the Association, commercial breeders who use Angus genetics in their herds and those interested in getting into the Angus business.

RMs serve a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the Angus breed, while also providing services and information to Association members and commercial producers. RMs also generate sales for the services provided by Angus Productions Inc. (API).

RMs are located in various regions across the United States and are often visible at many beef industry events such as state cattle conventions, Angus field days, shows and sales. Regional managers have increased their efficiencies by visiting with breeders at these events where they can be accessible to numerous members in one day at one location. Technology has also made regional managers more readily accessible.

“It is important to remember that we are accessible to all members in all areas, and not just limited to those breeders in our region,” says Jerry Cassady, who represents breeders in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. “If a breeder anywhere has questions about a breeding program in one of my states, they should feel free to contact me and I’ll give them the best information that I can.”

Providing an outlet for continued education is beneficial for both the members and the regional managers. The RMs note that if they can spend some time visiting with new members at a sale or field day arming them with the information they need from the beginning of their Angus career, they will have a greater chance for success in the Angus business in the future.

“I would encourage all new breeders to get to know their regional manager and use him as a resource much like they would use their county agent, veterinarian, semen distributor, or feed salesman,” recommends David Gazda, who covers the states of Georgia, Florida, North and South Carolina.  “I would also encourage new breeders to become familiar with the programs and services available through the Association and API and how to utilize them in their programs.”

Although RMs work primarily with Association members and their commercial bull customers, the RMs are knowledgeable about all Association programs and entities and work closely with API and the Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) program.

A complete list of regional managers and their contact information can be found online at www.angus.org or by calling the American Angus Association at 816-383-5100.

— Adapted from a release provided by the American Angus Association.

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