News Update
April 16, 2010

‘The Angus Report’ Released Today

The American Angus Association® has released its newest installment of “The Angus Report,” a weekly web-based news program, available here.  The three-minute video segment encapsulates the top weekly news of the Association and its entities. Visit www.angus.org for more information.

BIF Announces 2010 Gateway to Profit Conference

Discover how the latest in beef genetics and production practices provide a unique benefit to the bottom line during the “Gateway to Profit” symposium hosted by the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) this summer. The BIF research symposium and annual meeting will be June 28-July 1 in Columbia, Mo. The Holiday Inn Select Executive Conference Center in Columbia will serve as event headquarters.

Industry experts from the United States and abroad will discuss leading genetic advancements and offer attendees practical solutions to adapt these technologies to their own operations. Event coordinators anticipate about 900 progressive cattle producers, veterinarians, academics and allied industry personnel from around the world will attend.

“The annual BIF conference is considered one of the most influential and innovative programs in beef genetic technologies,” explains Bob Weaber, BIF planning committee co-chairman. “What makes our program unique is the emphasis we place on bringing this advanced science to a practical level of understanding that resonates with the needs and interests of our attendees.”

Weaber says the program is appealing to anyone who wants to hear, share, learn and apply the science of genetics to beef production. Tours of local cattle operations and educational destinations, as well as social events, provide additional opportunities for learning and networking.

“The challenges many of us have experienced this winter season are a strong reminder of the elements that we can’t control in beef production,” Weaber says. “Understanding and applying the science of beef genetics is one area where producers can gain better control of herd performance for short- and long-term profit potential.”

Additional details about the conference, including registration, lodging and travel tips, student travel fellowships, details on Continuing Education Credits, and how to become an event sponsor are available at the University of Missouri’s event site, www.BIF2010.com.

Angus Productions Inc. (API) will provide online coverage of the event at www.BIFconference.com. Visit the site prior to the event for a schedule, hotel information and access to coverage of past conferences (2002-present). During the conference API will post news from the symposium, including synopses of each session, PowerPoint presentations, proceedings papers, award announcements, photo galleries, tour coverage and more. Audio will be posted in the weeks following the event. The coverage is made possible through the sponsorship of Biozyme Inc., which has sponsored the site since 2007.

For more information about the conference, contact Missouri BIF planning committee co-chairmen Robert Weaber (573-882-5479) or Ben Eggers (573-882-1953). Hotel reservations should be made directly with the hotel (1-800-465-4329, 573-445-8531, www.hiselect.com/cou-execctr). Be sure to mention that you are with the BIF conference to receive the special room rate.

Producers See Huge Value in Livestock Grazing School

Livestock producers who have turned to an Ohio State University (OSU) Extension forage management school that teaches the basics of rotational livestock grazing have increased their profits, improved production practices and extended their grazing season, according to a recent survey.

The survey, conducted by the Ohio Integrated Forage Management Team to evaluate the impact of the “Pasture for Profit” grazing school, revealed that participants increased combined forage production by 1,116 tons — a value of $89,280 at $80 per ton. In addition, participants increased their net profits by decreasing feed costs and fuel and increased the number of grazing days by 64 days per year. Those extra days could potentially reduce winter feed costs by $253,067.

“It’s rewarding to see producers have success with the program,” said Clif Little, an OSU Extension educator in agriculture and natural resources. “Rotational grazing has so many benefits: It helps protect the environment; increases production per acre, thereby increasing farm profits; and it improves water and forage quality. And the best part is that it’s a socially accepted practice. People like to see animals outside, grazing on fresh forages. They see that as being healthy for the animal.”

Pasture for Profit has been offered by OSU Extension for nearly 15 years. The three-day program, typically conducted in the fall, winter and spring, teaches a broad range of rotational grazing management techniques including fencing, paddock design, maximizing grazing pastures, forage selection, water management, pasture fertility, winter feeding, soil quality, and meeting nutritional requirements, among other topics.

The school is designed for any grazing animal including beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep and goats.

Little estimates that Pasture for Profit has reached more than 2,000 producers across the Midwest throughout its history. The Ohio Integrated Forage Management Team has just recently begun conducting participant surveys to measure the impact of Pasture for Profit. The most recent survey, with a 60% response rate, was aimed at producers in eastern and southern Ohio.

The following are some additional survey findings:

• The four most-often listed benefits of rotational grazing are better livestock care, less stress, less labor and better management.
  

• 70% of respondents indicated that after attending the Pasture for Profit School they were able to extend their grazing season.
  

• 82% of respondents said they have made production improvements; 45% of these improvements were due to increasing the number of animals that could be raised and/or increased forage production.
  

• 55% of respondents indicated that as a result of attending the school they have increased their net profits.
  

• Net profits were increased 66% of the time by decreasing feed costs and fuel.

“Producers who have attended the school indicate that they think rotational grazing is a better lifestyle not only for them but also for the animal,” said Little. “The system improves farm production, reduces feed costs and increases the carrying capacity of the farm.”

Little said that producers are also interested in the practice because of environmental benefits of soil and water conservation. Their participation in Pasture for Profit makes them eligible for participation in the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

“With the Farm Bill promoting EQIP there’s an incentive to adopt the practice. We teach those techniques with Pasture for Profit and participants receive educational points toward EQIP that puts them toward the top of eligibility,” Little said.

The Ohio Integrated Forage Management Team will soon offer an advanced grazing school to complement Pasture for Profit. In the meantime, interested producers can look for aspects of the Pasture for Profit curriculum at OSU Extension pasture walks, workshops and field days this spring and summer.

For more information on what the Ohio Integrated Forages Management Team offers, log on to http://ohioforages.blogspot.com/.

— Release from OSU Communications and Technology unit.

The Spirit of Giving Back: Cherry Knoll Farm Supports the NJAA

With a love for good Angus cattle and a desire to support the initiatives of the “green jackets” of the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA), Bob and Margaret Duprey of Cherry Knoll Farm, West Grove, Pa., have pledged a total of $25,000 in matching funds to support the NJAA Board Alumni and Friends Scholarship and Endowment Fund.

Developed by the current NJAA Board of Directors, the objective of this effort is to create more scholarship opportunities for deserving Angus youth of the NJAA. With the Duprey’s help, the eventual $50,000 fund will create educational opportunities for many generations of Angus youth.

“One of the many reasons that Bob and I have enjoyed our association with the Angus breed is the interaction with the NJAA. We have seen this association foster leadership and maturity in the young men and women involved with it,” Margaret stated. “We feel that one of the learning components of the NJAA is fundraising and “giving back” to the community.”

It is the Duprey’s hope that their gift of matching funds will inspire other Angus breeders and enthusiasts to support the Angus Foundation’s Vision of Value: Campaign for Angus, through the NJAA Board Alumni and Friends Scholarship and Endowment Fund.

“We are honored by the outpouring of support from Margaret and Bob Duprey as we work to gather the funds necessary to support this project. Our hope is to give back to the same organization that has meant so much to each member of the board of directors both past and present,” stated Robert Myers, NJAA Board of Directors, Foundation Director.

Funds raised through the NJAA Board Alumni and Friends Scholarship and Endowment Fund will count toward the Vision of Value: Campaign for Angus. This capital campaign, which aims to raise $11 million by Dec. 31, 2011, is the first-ever Angus Foundation campaign of this kind. To date, more than $6 million in outright cash gifts, pledges and planned giving commitments has been received toward the campaign goal. Programs being conducted by the Angus Foundation, the not-for-profit affiliate of the American Angus Association that was established in 1980, support education, youth and research programs in the Angus breed.

For more information about the NJAA Board Alumni and Friends Scholarship and Endowment Fund, or for information about the Vision of Value: Campaign for Angus, contact Angus Foundation president Milford Jenkins at 816-383-5100 or visit www.angusfoundation.org.

— Release by the Angus Foundation.

U.S. To Recognize FMD-free Brazilian State

The United States has agreed to publish a proposed rule by April 16 to recognize the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina as free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) without vaccination, and other diseases, according to a report on MeatInternational.com.

However, the possible re-entry of fresh and frozen Brazilian beef to the U.S. hinges on the outcome of an expedited U.S. risk assessment and success in identifying a risk mitigation system to enable unprocessed beef from that state to enter the U.S. without the risk of FMD outbreaks.

The United States currently only imports beef from FMD-free countries, not from recognized FMD-free regions.

According to the Brazilian Beef Exporters Association, the recognition will not have an effect in exports as Santa Catarina beef production is limited, but it is an opportunity to open negotiations of Brazilian unprocessed product access in the United States and other markets.

The agreement comes as a result of the negotiations between the United States and Brazil to avoid Brazilian retaliation due to U.S. cotton producers subsidy litigation at the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The U.S. offer also includes funding for $147 million per year to increase Brazilian cotton producers’ competitiveness and limiting U.S. producer subsidies.

— Adapted from a report on MeatInternational.com.

— Compiled by Linda Robbins, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.