News Update
Dec. 7, 2009

Still Time For “End-of-the-Year” Charitable Gifts

Charitable gifts to the Angus Foundation in support of its education, youth and research programs are appreciated regardless of the time of year the gift is made by the donor. Oftentimes, however, charitable giving decisions are made at year-end once an individual or couple knows their income tax situation for that respective calendar (tax) year.

As a reminder, one should pay special attention to timing when it comes to year-end gifts. In accordance with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidelines, 501(c)(3) charities such as the Angus Foundation will recognize the U.S. Postal Service’s postmark denoted on the outside of the carrier envelope used by the donor in transmitting the gift to the charity.

In order to qualify for tax savings on this year’s tax return, your gift must be completed by Dec. 31. For cash gifts, this means your gift must be personally delivered or mailed to the Angus Foundation in an envelope postmarked no later than Dec. 31. Gifts can also be made online at www.angusfoundation.org/. Donors will be recognized for their support to the Vision of Value: Campaign for Angus, which aims to raise $11 million by December 31, 2011.

— Release provided by the Angus Foundation.

USDA Launches Toll-Free Help Desk For Small Meat and Poultry Processors

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced the opening of its new small plant help-desk, which will provide for operators of small and very small meat, poultry and processed egg products establishments seeking help with agency requirements with direct access to knowledgeable staff specialists. The help-desk also will provide assistance to state and local food regulatory agencies — FSIS’ partners in keeping meat, poultry and egg products safe for consumers.

“USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is committed to providing assistance to businesses of all sizes that provide American consumers with access to a safe and healthy food supply,” said Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety Jerold Mande. “The small plant help-desk will help the development of small, local producers by offering a one-stop shop for questions about how to make sure their meat, poultry and processed egg products are safe, wholesome and properly labeled.”

The new help-desk will support USDA “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” initiative by helping small processors reduce the time and expense of dealing with agency requirements. “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” is designed to continue the national conversation about developing local and regional food systems and finding ways to support small and mid-sized producers. It emphasizes the need for a fundamental and critical reconnection between producers and consumers, building on the 2008 Farm Bill, which provides additional flexibility for USDA programs to promote local foods. More information on the “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” initiative can be found at: www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer.

The FSIS small plant help-desk will serve as a “one-stop shop” for plant owners and operators with questions. More than 90% of the 6,000 plants inspected by FSIS are small or very small. FSIS staff will assess callers’ requests and provide information and guidance materials that best meet their needs. In situations where the answer is not readily available, the staff will research the issue and follow-up with the caller. As appropriate, the help-desk will provide a portal to other services, such as AskFSIS, FSIS’ existing Internet service offering official agency responses to inquiries on agency policy.

Inquiries can be made to the small plant help-desk by toll-free telephone or by e-mail. The help-desk is open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. To speak to a staff specialist during this time, call 1-877-FSISHelp (1-877-374-7435). Customers may also contact the help-desk by e-mail at InfoSource@fsis.usda.gov.

— Release provided by USDA.

Missouri State Fair "Youth in Agriculture" Scholarship Now Available

Applications for a Missouri State Fair Youth in Agriculture Scholarship are now available online at www.mostatefair.com for Missouri high school seniors graduating in 2010. Applications submitted to the Missouri State Fair must be postmarked by Feb. 1, 2010.

"We are very happy to be able to award young people for all their efforts participating at the Fair," said, Wayne Yokley, Youth in Agriculture Committee Chairman. "The support of companies and individuals who help make this possible is very much appreciated."

To be eligible for a scholarship, an applicant must be a high school senior and be an active 4-H or FFA member; have participated in the Missouri State Fair as a 4-H or FFA exhibitor; have plans to enroll in an accredited Missouri college or university with a major in agriculture; and have not sold livestock in any past Missouri State Fair Sale of Champions.

The Missouri State Fair's scholarship program is funded through the generosity of Youth in Agriculture sponsors and buyers of the livestock sold during the annual Sale of Champions. A percent of each animal's sale price is earmarked for scholarships.

The Youth in Agriculture Committee, which is responsible for administering the scholarships, will award thirty $1,000 scholarships and one $2,500 Supreme Scholarship sponsored by Sydenstricker John Deere of Missouri/Sydenstricker Angus Genetics. 

For more information please call the Missouri State Fair at 1-800-422 FAIR (3247) or e-mail your questions to mostatefair@mda.mo.gov.

— Release provided by the Missouri State Fair.

Two Cases of H1N1 Confirmed in Colorado Cats

Two cats from different households in Colorado have tested positive for H1N1, according to Colorado State University’s (CSU) Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. The felines are expected to recover, but their cases serve as a reminder to pet owners to seek veterinary attention for companion animals that appear to be ill.

The cats in these two cases were diagnosed with lower respiratory tract infections by Colorado veterinarians. Both cats are currently ill and have been ill for multiple weeks, with one illness beginning on Oct. 2 and the other beginning in early November. Antibiotics do not treat H1N1, but both cats received antibiotics as a precaution against secondary bacterial infections. Neither cat had symptoms that responded to antibiotics.

“We expect that both cats will recover, but these cases serve as a reminder to pet owners to seek veterinary attention as soon as possible if their pet seems ill. This flu has also been identified in ferrets, exotic cats and birds in the United States, so any companion animal that appears to have the flu should get immediate attention,” said Kristy Pabilonia, a veterinarian and expert on H1N1 testing in animals at CSU. “We are very interested in understanding more about H1N1 in cats and other pets and providing tests to veterinarians who suspect H1N1 in companion animals.”

Swabs from the cats’ mouth and nose were tested by CSU and additional blood serum confirmation testing from Iowa State University confirmed that they have the pandemic H1N1 strain.

Veterinarians believe that both of the cats became ill with H1N1 after a person in their household contracted the virus.

In addition to receiving veterinary care, cats and ferrets with H1N1 should be made comfortable and get plenty of rest, enticing food and fluids.

The USDA is reporting three other confirmed cases of H1N1 in cats, one each in Oregon, Iowa and Pennsylvania. At least five ferrets have been confirmed to have H1N1, four in Oregon and one in Nebraska.

Pabilonia said that because this strain of H1N1 is new, information about how it affects animals is limited. It is possible that any animal may be susceptible to H1N1, but no other cases have been documented in companion animals. To date, there are no reported cases of H1N1 in dogs in the United States. Pet birds have been susceptible to other strains of the flu, but no cases of H1N1 in these animals have been reported.

People with H1N1 or any flu should be careful when in contact with their pets. Pabilonia recommends that they practice social distancing with pets just as they would with people. People who are ill should wash their hands before handling pets and, if possible, have someone who is well feed and care for pets. Just like people, pets are exposed to H1N1 through aerosols — fluids released when someone sneezes, coughs or touches their face and then a surface.

Because there have only been a few cases of H1N1 flu in pets, veterinarians have limited information about the symptoms. Pets with H1N1 may behave as if they aren’t feeling well, acting lethargic and may appear to have a respiratory illness. If a pet seems ill, it should be taken to a veterinarian for an exam as soon as possible and the veterinarian should be alerted that the pet has been exposed to someone with influenza.

CSU’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is testing pets for H1N1 as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Animal Health Laboratory Network. The test detects H1N1 influenza virus in animals. Tests are performed on nasal or mouth swabs. Swabs should be obtained by a veterinarian and submitted to the lab for results.

— Release provided by CSU.

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