News Update
June 4, 2010

BIF Reminder

The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) meeting in early registration deadline
is today, Friday, June 4th. The rooming deadline extended was to June 5.
This year the conference will be in Columbia, Missouri from June 28-July 1.
For more information, please visit the University of Missouri's event site,
www.BIF2010.com.

For more information about the conference, contact Missouri BIF planning
committee co-chairmen Robert Weaber at 573-882-5479 and Ben Eggers at
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.

Delegate Nominations Due June 30

The deadline to nominate state and district delegates for the Annual Convention of Delegates this fall is approaching. Signed nomination forms must be received in the American Angus Association office no later than June 30 in order for the name to be placed on the ballots.

Ballots to elect delegates to the Annual Meeting will then be prepared and mailed mid-July to all active regular and life members.

All ballots must be received in the Association office by Tuesday, Aug. 17, to be counted. To ensure a valid ballot, vote for no more than the designated number of delegates listed at the top of the ballot and remember to sign the document. Read more.

USDA’s FSIS Announces Public Meetings to Gather Input on New Draft Validation Guidance

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced it will hold a series of public meetings to discuss and receive public input on the Agency’s draft proposed guidance concerning Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) Validation. FSIS made a preliminary draft of the validation guidance available in March in order to hear from the public earlier in the guidance development process, as requested by a number of stakeholders. The guidance does not create any new requirements on establishments, but rather clarifies existing requirements and provides direction on how processors, especially small processors, can meet them.

“USDA is deeply committed to enhancing food safety in a way that supports small processors,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “FSIS’ transparent and open process for developing this guidance is designed to ensure that the agency can effectively help establishments of all sizes improve the safety of their products and reduce the incidence of foodborne illness.”

The series will kick off with the first public meeting being held from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 14, 2010, in the USDA South Building, Jefferson Auditorium, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250. Comments on the preliminary draft are due June 19th.

FSIS will review the public comments on the preliminary guidance, and then announce an updated draft document in the Federal Register in July for a second round of comments. As part of the second comment period, FSIS will hold two additional public meetings. Each meeting will include presentations, a question and answer period, and a public comment period.

“The guidance is being created to help establishments understand existing requirements, and they do not impose new testing or microbiological requirements on establishments,” said FSIS Administrator Al Almanza. “By receiving public input, we can ensure the guidance is helpful to plant owners and operators.”

The preliminary draft guidance and more information on validation are available on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/HACCP_Validation/index.asp. FSIS encourages establishments and the public to submit comments by June 19, 2010, to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Room 2-2127, George Washington Carver Center, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Mailstop 5474, Beltsville, MD 20705-5474.

FSIS will issue a press release with the details on the second and third public meetings once they are finalized. Preregistration for these meetings is encouraged. To preregister, access the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/News/Meetings_&_Events. Please indicate interest in providing public comment on the registration form.

For any additional information regarding the registration process, contact Sheila Johnson, Congressional and Public Affairs Office, at 202-690-6498 or by e-mail at Sheila.Johnson@fsis.usda.gov.

— Release by USDA.

‘Pork & Beef’ Field Day Offered in Childress June 29

A “Pork & Beef Field Day” presented by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and U.S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) will be June 29 on the Kenneth Ellis Farm near Childress.

There has been an increased interest in Old World bluestem grass as a nutritional pasture grass for livestock, but it requires proper management and fertilization, said Lonnie Jenschke, AgriLife Extension agricultural and natural science agent in Childress County.

In addition, Jenschke said, feral hogs are becoming more of a nuisance in the county, so that topic has been combined as part of a discussion of county management practices, as well as quail habitat and management.

The program will run from 9 a.m. to noon, with lunch served following the program, he said. Those planning to attend should call 940-937-2351 by June 22.

Presentations will cover Old World bluestems, pasture management, quail management, feral hog control, marketing feral hogs, the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) and native pasture restoration, Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Childress agriculture. Additionally, Dow and DuPont chemical companies will present product updates.

Three continuing education units will be offered, two general and one integrated pest management, Jenschke said.

— Release by Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

Heat Could Threaten U.S. Cotton Crop

AccuWeather.com reports a heat wave affecting Texas through next week has the potential to stress the U.S. cotton crop.

“There’s been adequate moisture going into the planting of the cotton crop this season,” said AccuWeather.com Agricultural Meteorologist Dale Mohler. “No rain is in the forecast for western Texas through next weekend, and this heat is likely to suck any remaining moisture dry.”

AccuWeather.com meteorologists foresee high temperatures in the low 100s, and dry conditions for at least the next ten days from Midland to Lubbock, Texas.

Texas is the leading cotton-producing state in the U.S., with most cotton grown in the western portion of the state.

The crop is irrigated in most situations, but a rain-free stretch could be detrimental.

“This intense heat will negate the irrigation,” said Mohler. “There’s going to be a lot of stress to this season’s cotton crop.”

Meteorologists expect the heat wave currently affecting Texas to spread eastward toward the lower Mississippi Valley beginning next week. About 30% of the U.S. cotton crop, as well as a significant portion of the soybean crop, is grown in this region.

The latest USDA report published on June 2 said 74% of the U.S. soybean crop is planted, along with 79% of the cotton crop.

The planting of cotton begins in early February in South Texas, and can extend through the beginning of June in the northern portions of Texas.

The U.S. is the third largest producer of cotton, behind China and India, the number one and two producers, respectively.

— Release by AccuWeather.com

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