News Update
June 22, 2009

Canadian Angus Association to Host World Angus Forum Next Month

Angus enthusiasts from across the globe have already registered for the 2009 World Angus Forum (WAF) set for July 13-16 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. More than 740 people from 20 countries are registered to attend what is slated to be the largest Angus event ever held in Canada. Limited space is still available for this year’s event, so call today to register. WAF Coordinator Monica Hillis is accepting registrations directly via phone at 403-203-9266 or toll-free in the U.S. or Canada at 866-703-3041.

More than 1,000 head of cattle will be displayed during the week at Spruce Meadows, a world-renowned show-jumping facility south of Calgary. In addition, Angus will be exhibited in both open and youth shows.

At least 11 luxury coaches will travel on Monday, July 13, for the Western Heritage Ranch Tour and Pitchfork BBQ in the Foothills of the Rockies, say event organizers. A technical conference, live entertainment, sales pavilion and embryo display featuring Angus genetics from several countries will be highlighted.

The technical conference Tuesday, July 14, will feature Chelsea Carruthers, a graduate student from the University of Saskatchewan; Jerry Taylor, who holds the chair in animal genomics at the University of Missouri; Robert (Bob) Church, professor emeritus of medical biochemistry and molecular biology, University of Calgary; and Philip Griebel, program manager and senior immunologist, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), professor, School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan.

For a complete WAF schedule and the latest information, check the web site at www.worldangusforum.com.

— Release provided by the American Angus Association.

Producers, Veterinarians Urged to Attend National Johne’s Workshop

Exploring ways to most effectively address Johne’s disease at the farm level is the focus of the second New Horizons in Johne’s Disease Control workshop set for Monday, Aug. 10, at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn. Registration starts at 8 a.m., with opening remarks scheduled for 8:45 a.m. The day’s sessions will wrap up at 5 p.m.

Conducted in conjunction with the 10th International Colloquium for Paratuberculosis (ICP), this workshop is geared for producers and veterinarians and will look at the importance of Johne’s disease to the producer, management strategies for young stock and mature animals and tools to help reduce shedding in infected animals. The end of the day will be devoted to case studies and a question-and-answer session.

Registration for the one-day workshop is $85 per person and includes Monday’s sessions, lunch and handouts as well as a Sunday, Aug. 9, reception and discussion relative to the role M. avium paratuberculosis, the bacterium that causes Johne’s in livestock, may or may not have relative to Crohn’s disease in humans.

“Johne’s is a long-term challenge for dairy and livestock producers, and this workshop will provide practical information that can help producers better understand the disease and how to implement effective prevention and control management strategies,” states Michael Carter, National Johne’s Disease Control Program Coordinator, National Center for Animal Health Programs, USDA-APHIS-VS.

Carter adds that a National Animal Health Monitoring Systems (NAHMS) Dairy 2007 study indicates that 68.1% of U.S. dairy operations are infected with Johne’s disease and at least one-fourth of U.S. dairy operations may have a relatively high percentage of Johne’s-infected cows in their herds, resulting in unexplained lowered milk production and a less healthy bottom line. Research also suggests that eight out of 100 U.S. beef herds may be infected with Johne’s, with Johne’s-infected females producing lighter calves at weaning and being slower to breed back.

To learn more about the second New Horizons in Johne’s Disease Control workshop, including a detailed list of topics and speakers, please visit http://www.cvm.umn.edu/outreach/events/icp/NewHorizonsWorkshop/index.htm.

Registration for the workshop — and the ICP — is available online at http://www.cvm.umn.edu/outreach/events/icp/icpreg/home.html. Please note that individuals attending the workshop qualify for a special registration package to take in the remainder of the 10th International Colloquium for Paratuberculosis, Aug. 9-14.

To learn more about Johne’s disease, visit www.johnesdisease.org.

— Release provided by NIAA Communications.

Register Now for the Beef Cattle Short Course

The 55th Annual Texas A&M University (TAMU) Beef Cattle Short Course is just around the corner. Choose from 20 sessions and participate in 50+ hours of training on current issues and technologies. Along with live animal demonstrations, take a walk around the 100+ exhibitor trade show. Come be a part of the biggest cattle event of the year on Aug. 3-5, 2009.

For more information contact the TAMU Beef Cattle Extension phone number at 979-845-6931, e-mail extansc@ag.tamu.edu or visit the web site at http://beef.tamu.edu.

Protein is an Important Addition to Your Diet

Did you know every cell in the human body contains protein?

Janice Hermann, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension nutrition specialist, said proteins have many functions in the body, including building and repairing body cells. It is important for growth and development during childhood, adolescence and pregnancy.

Protein is needed to build enzymes, antibodies and some hormones. Proteins are also needed for blood clotting, wound healing and water balance.

“Proteins are long chains of amino acids,” Hermann said. “There are 20 amino acids and the body cannot make nine of these amino acids. These amino acids are referred to as essential amino acids.”

Hermann said essential amino acids must come from the diet. Proteins come from both animal and plant foods. Animal proteins have all the essential amino acids, while most plant proteins are low in one or more essential amino acids.

“All essential amino acids can come from plant foods when you combine a plant protein low in an amino acid with one high in that amino acid,” she said. “These are called complementary proteins.”

Complementary proteins can be eaten together or within the same day.

Hermann said examples of complementary proteins include combining beans with wheat or rice such as beans and rice or peanut butter and bread, or corn with beans such as cornbread and beans. Another way is to combine a plant protein with a small amount of animal protein such as macaroni and cheese.

“A nutritionally balanced diet provides adequate protein,” Hermann said. “Protein supplements are not needed by healthy people eating a well-balanced diet.”

— Release provided by Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension.

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