News Update
April 21, 2010

Team BEEF Completes Boston Marathon

Boston Marathon runners and their families had the opportunity to sample the real deal when it comes to protein. After numerous samples of protein bars, runners stopping at the beef checkoff booth remarked, “Thanks. That’s better than any protein bar around here.”

The beef checkoff team comprised of National Beef Ambassadors and Pennsylvania Beef Council staff Paul Slayton and Lisa Jones, informed Boston Marathon runners and spectators about the protein power found in lean beef while serving about 4,000 samples throughout the event. The team enthusiastically shared the message about incorporating high-quality protein into the diet throughout the day to help maintain a healthy weight, build muscle and fuel physical activity.

“I was really surprised by the number of people who thought it was strange we had a beef booth at the health expo,” says Mandy-Jo Laurent, National Beef Ambassador from Texas. “Of course, after we educated them about beef’s health benefits, they really understood.”

“Spreading the message that a high-quality protein, like lean beef, provides the right nutrition needed for their bodies to grow and perform at their best hit home with this active consumer audience,” says Carol Abrahamzon, manager of the National Beef Ambassador Program. “Consumer comments about the ranch steak sample included, ‘That aroma is intoxicating’ and ‘It’s actually the best sample I’ve had in the whole place.’ Consumers were excited to hear from real beef producers about the safety and quality of the beef they love to eat.”

For more information about your beef checkoff investment, visit MyBeefCheckoff.com.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Makes Case for Stronger Rural America

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today, April, 21, 2010, testified on the status of the current Farm Bill and the upcoming 2012 Farm Bill before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture. In his remarks, Vilsack provided a national perspective on the challenges facing rural America based on his travels to rural communities throughout the country. He also discussed the state of agriculture today, the need for a strong farm safety net, and new approaches to create income opportunities and generate wealth in a stronger, more prosperous rural America for generations to come.

Below are some excerpts from Secretary Vilsack’s prepared testimony:

“Let me start off by acknowledging the hard work of the Members of this Committee and your staff. Having worked diligently with my own staff across the country over the past 15 months to implement the bill, I can now fully appreciate the months of hard work that went into crafting this important piece of legislation. You are all to be commended for the strong bipartisan bill that overcame multiple obstacles before becoming law.

“As you know, the breadth and depth of the Farm Bill is incredible. With the programs and authorities that Congress provided to USDA in the 2008 Farm Bill, we are in turn working to ensure that America’s farmers and ranchers have the tools that they need to remain viable and on the farm. It is also with these authorities that we work to fund rural hospitals, schools and fire stations, maintain a safe food supply, and sustain export markets for the commodities produced by our nation’s farmers and ranchers. Congress has given USDA an amazing opportunity to assist not only rural America with these tools and authorities, but the world.” Read more.

New Federal TB Rules Change Nothing In Wisconsin; Importers, Exhibitors Need to Check Before Moving Animals

Wisconsin will continue its strict testing requirements for cattle, goats and bison imported from states where tuberculosis (TB) has been found, the state veterinarian says. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has modified requirements for moving cattle from those states, but states have the option of keeping tighter testing procedures.

“We are sandwiched between two states with tuberculosis — Michigan and Minnesota — and we have a $26 billion dairy industry to protect, along with our beef, goat and bison producers,” said Robert Ehlenfeldt. “We are not going to let down our guard.”

The state veterinarian’s office will also continue the policy of prohibiting Wisconsin animals to return to the state if they are taken to shows and sales in Minnesota and Michigan that do not meet testing requirements.

Anyone importing animals that are susceptible to TB — cattle, bison and goats — or taking these animals to shows and sales in Minnesota and Michigan needs to check requirements first by checking import/movement requirements online or calling 608-224-4874 weekdays.

“We’ve recently had to quarantine and test a cow that a high-schooler took to a Minnesota show that was advertised as being open to animals from surrounding states,” Ehlenfeldt said. “The problem was that the show was also open to all Minnesota cattle, whether they came from TB areas of the state or not, and regardless of whether they’d been tested for TB.”

Until now, the USDA restricted movement and imposed testing obligations on all cattle from states that are trying to eradicate TB from their herds. These requirements applied even if the cattle in question were not from affected herds. The new order, issued April 15, applies the strict requirements only to cattle from infected herds. States may enact more stringent requirements than federal standards for cattle entering their borders from states where the disease exists.

Wisconsin imposes TB testing requirements for individual cattle, goats and bison imported to Wisconsin from Michigan and Minnesota, and for the herds where those animals originate. Minnesota animals can go directly to an approved feedlot or to slaughter without testing.

Wisconsin animals taken to shows in Minnesota and Michigan will face penalties if they return to Wisconsin, unless the shows require that animals from those states meet Wisconsin’s test requirements. These animals will need to be tested and quarantined for 60 days, or sent to slaughter.

Wisconsin also has varying TB test requirements for other states with TB, depending on the level of infection in those states. However, Wisconsin producers feel the effects more from Michigan and Minnesota because of their proximity for trade and exhibitions.

Wisconsin has been TB-free since 1986.

— Release by Wisconsin Department of Agriculture.

Multicounty Pond Management Program April 30 in Elmendorf

Texas AgriLife Extension Service will sponsor a pond management seminar for Bexar, Atascosa and Guadalupe counties from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. April 30.

The program, presented in conjunction with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), will take place at Baring Ranch, 6128 South Loop 1604 in Elmendorf.

“This seminar will be extremely helpful to landowners who want to know how to best manage their ponds to optimize their use for recreational and commercial purposes,” said Bryan Davis, AgriLife Extension agent for natural resources in Bexar County and program coordinator.

Program registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and presentations will commence at 9 a.m. Program topics on pond and

aquatic management will include weed management, fertilization, site selection and design, harvest management and restocking after a drought, Davis said.

Two continuing education units — one general and one integrated pest management — will be available to commercial, non-commercial and private pesticide license holders attending the program.

“Those attending should bring their own lawn chair, dress comfortably and wear a hat, as we’ll be outside all morning,” Davis said. “And attendees are invited to bring pond weeds to the program for identification.”

Presentations will be followed by lunch at 11:45 a.m. Lunch and materials are included in the $10 program fee.

Attendees are requested to RSVP by April 28. To RSVP and register, contact Angel Torres at the AgriLife Extension office for Bexar County at 210-467-6575 or matorres@ag.tamu.edu.

— Release by Texas AgriLife Extension Services.

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