News Update
March 18, 2010

Farmers & Ranchers Celebrate 40th Anniversary of Earth Day

April 22 will mark the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, and, once again, the beef checkoff’s issues management and producer communications teams are helping cattle farmers and ranchers across the country share their environmental sustainability message with consumers. This year’s Earth Day campaign highlights the tradition and longevity of cattlemen’s environmental stewardship practices and reinforces cattlemen’s geographic diversity yet unity around being “green” with the resources in their area.

“Each and every one of us is unique — whether it be that we’ve been in the business for 40 years, that we’re 12th-generation farmers, or that we have special environmental stewardship practices in place — everyone who plays a role in the beef industry has a story worth sharing,” says Mike Stahly, backgrounder and cow-calf producer from Cavour, S.D., and chair of the industry’s Issues Management Subcommittee. “So as the nation celebrates with us on April 22, farmers and ranchers can be proud to know we celebrate every day as good stewards of our environment — we just need to share that message with consumers.”

Throughout the coming weeks, the checkoff will be providing tools for producers to use in order to promote Earth Day activities, including advertisements that can be tailored to their state or their own operation, customizable letters-to-the-editor, e-mail signature graphics, school outreach ideas, social media tips, fact sheets and environmental stock photos. Producers interested in getting involved on a local level in Earth Day activities should contact their state beef council.

“As cattle farmers and ranchers, we should embrace our diversity,” Stahly says. “Cattle are raised in every state in our nation, in nearly every type of climate and geography. What I do to be ‘green’ here in South Dakota is different from my fellow beef producers in, say, Kentucky. But we all are working toward the same common goal, and we need to tell that story to non-farm folks.”

To read more about today’s farm families and modern beef production, visit the checkoff-funded www.ExploreBeef.org. For more information about checkoff-funded initiatives, visit MyBeefCheckoff.com.

— Release by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board.

AgriLife Extension Offering Rainwater Harvesting Course April 12-13 in Kerrville

The Texas AgriLife Extension Service is offering an introductory course in Kerrville for those interested in learning the basics of rainwater harvesting for outdoor and indoor applications.

The course will take place April 12-13 at The Ag Barn, 3650 Highway 27.

“This will provide an overview of rainwater harvesting, its uses and applicability to conserving rainfall as a natural resource,” said Billy Kniffen, an AgriLife Extension program specialist in biological and agricultural engineering.

Kniffen said concepts and techniques introduced during the course will cover passive and active rainwater harvesting, including rain gardens, landscape design, rain barrels and larger systems, irrigation and other outside uses, in-home potable and non-potable uses, sanitation, maintenance, and state guidelines and incentives.

“The course was designed for anyone interested in installing a rainwater harvesting system,” he said.

The April 12 portion of the program begins with registration at 8:30 a.m. and concludes at 5 p.m. Sessions begin with an overview followed by presentations on water issues, incentives, codes and regulations; basics of passive and active rainwater collection systems and components; and a how-to session on building, hiding and decorating a rainwater harvesting system.

April 13 sessions will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at noon. Presentations on rainwater harvesting system sanitation and maintenance will be followed by a hands-on “Let’s Build It!” session, then a question-and-answer session and evaluation.

“The system construction portion this day will provide additional hands-on learning covering the basic components and construction of different types of rainwater harvesting systems, including solar, electrical, gravity-feed and pressure-feed systems,” Kniffen said.

The registration fee of $150 covers instruction, refreshments and training materials. Attendees can register online by going to http://agrilifevents.tamu.edu. On-site registration the day of the program will be $175.

For more information, contact Kathryn Nachlinger at 979-845-5385 or k-nachlinger@tamu.edu.

Livestock, Nutrition Conference to ‘Reclaim High Ground’ for Ag

This year’s Montana Livestock Forum and Nutrition Conference will address misinformation, innuendo and anti-meat agendas that have plagued the ag industry in the past year, says organizer and Extension Beef Specialist John Paterson of Montana State University (MSU).

The conference, titled “Challenge for Agriculture: Reclaiming the High Ground,” will take place April 6-7 in the ballrooms of the Strand Union Building on the MSU campus. That is a change in location from previous years.

“It is no secret that animal agriculture has been under attack by organizations that want to change the way that livestock producers raise and care for animals,” Paterson said. “We must become better informed.”

Speakers will discuss a variety of topics, including “Taking Back Agriculture for the Beef Industry” and “The Science and Politics of Animal Welfare.” The keynote speaker, who will address animal welfare, is Janice Swanson, director of the Animal Behavior and Welfare Group at Michigan State University. Her lecture is funded by a new endowment created by Paul and Barb Grieco with the MSU Foundation. Paul Grieco is a professor in MSU’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

In other presentations, MSU economist Gary Brester and Butch Bratsky from Stockman Bank will predict calf prices. Mark Petersen, the new research leader at Fort Keogh, will discuss protein supplementation, while another nationally known scientist, Bret Hess, will discuss fat supplementation.

Mac White, a rancher from Two Dot, will give his perspective on the true costs of feeding hay during the winter.

The cost to attend both days of the conference is $70. The price for attending one day only is $50 for Tuesday and $25 for Wednesday. Parking permits are required on the MSU campus. They cost $2.50 per day.

To register, call 406-994-3414, send an e-mail to anitag@montana.edu or mail a check to Anita Gray, 220 Linfield Hall, MSU, P.O. Box 172820, Bozeman, MT 59717.

— Release by MSU Extension.

Tractor Supply Co. Shoppers Can Help 4-H Youth Members

Tractor Supply Co., the largest retail farm and ranch store chain in the United States, has announced it will offer shoppers the opportunity to support 4-H youth programs through $1 donations at the register. In exchange, customers will receive paper clovers to sign and post in store windows. The program is scheduled to run from March 26-April 18 at area Tractor Supply stores.

“Many of our stores have been involved with 4-H clubs for years. Now, Tractor Supply Company is proud to have an official chain-wide relationship with 4-H,” said Tractor Supply Company Chairman and CEO Jim Wright. “For us, this is an outstanding way to support our current and future customers and future team members, and it’s a way to give back to the 900-plus unique communities we serve.”

Donations will help fund local, state and national 4-H programs that support the organization’s three mission mandates — citizenship, healthy living, and educational advancements in the areas of science, engineering and technology. 4-H is a community of six million young Americans and has been in existence since the start of the 20th century. 4-H programs are designed to provide practical, hands-on learning opportunities to assist youth in reaching their full potential.

“Partnering with 4-H is an excellent way for Tractor Supply to give back to the members and families who support our business,” said John Wendler, senior vice president, marketing at Tractor Supply. “4-H provides future generations with hands-on knowledge that’s relevant to a rural lifestyle, and teaches values that strengthen our country’s young people. We are proud to support 4-H.”

— Release by Tractor Supply Company.

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