Southern Angus Pride on Tour in Virginia

The Shenandoah Valley was known as the Bread Basket of the South during the Civil War since it supplied much of the food and other badly needed resources for troops. Today, the region continues to support a healthy agriculture industry — including great Angus cattle.

On Aug. 8-10, Angus producers and enthusiasts will have the opportunity to witness the area’s extensive history, Angus cattle and old-fashioned Southern hospitality during the Virginia Angus Association’s “Bread Basket of the South” Angus Tour.

Participants will tour several Angus farms as well as North American Breeders; the Shenandoah Agricultural Research and Education Center, which is the birthplace of Cyrus McCormick and the origin of the International Harvester Co.; and stops at both New Market Battlefield and the Shenandoah Caverns.

Registration for the Bread Basket of the South Angus Tour costs $85 per person before July 1 and $130 per person after. The final registration deadline is July 20. Registration includes a reception Aug. 8, lunch and dinner Monday and Tuesday, admission to New Market Battlefield and Shenandoah Caverns, and a special gift for all attendees. Registrations are non-refundable after July 20. Read more.

Demonstrations Part of Beef Cattle Short Course in August

From brush control on the ranch to cuts of beef sold to the consumer, the 2010 Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course will provide a number of beef cattle-production demonstrations Aug. 2-4 in College Station.

The Texas AgriLife Extension Service sponsors the three-day program, which will take place on the Texas A&M University campus.

“One of the most exciting aspects of the short course each year is the cattleman’s college,” said Jason Cleere, conference coordinator and AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist. “There are 20 different Cattleman’s College educational sessions, which will have a mix of information, addressing current beef industry issues and providing fundamental information on basic beef cattle and ranch management.”

On Aug. 3, beef cattle specialists and animal health officials will give an overview of the cattle-tick program activities.

“Even if you are not in the quarantine zone, you need to understand the impact of this pest,” Cleere said.

An overview of the history of the fever tick, its current management program and economic impact, plus other topics, will be discussed.

The Aug. 4 sessions take some of the information that was provided during the first two days of the short course “and demonstrate how it can be applied in working cattle operations,” Cleere said.

“There will be demonstrations on brush control, cattle selection, cattle handling, vaccinating cattle, business management and cuts of beef,” he said.

A tour of the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine will also be offered “so that participants can see some of the latest technology that we have in livestock care,” he added.

“Participants will also have an opportunity to receive a private pesticide applicator’s license on Wednesday,” Cleere said.

Training will occur before lunch on Aug. 4 and the certification test will be at 1 p.m.

Short course registration is $140 per participant (by July 26) and includes admission to the conference, a copy of the short-course proceedings, trade show admittance, tickets to the special Aggie prime rib dinner, and additional meals and refreshment breaks.

Attendees can earn at least seven pesticide continuing education units, 15 veterinary credits and numerous Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) credits.

For more information or to register, go online at http://beef.tamu.edu, or contact Cleere’s office at 979-845-6931 or email jjcleere@tamu.edu.

— Release by Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

OSU Livestock Judging Camp Slated

Youth ages 13-17 who have completed the seventh grade and are interested in livestock judging should consider attending the twenty-first annual Oklahoma State University (OSU) Youth Livestock Judging Camp.

The camp has two sessions, July 5-7 and July 8-10. Registration is $240 per person if paid by July 1. A $20 late fee will apply after this date. Camps will be limited to 60 youth per session.

Rusty Gosz, OSU youth livestock specialist, said all camp activities take place on the OSU campus and the registration fee includes housing, food, accommodations and various extras.

“Last summer’s camp had participants from 15 different states and due to limiting the camp at 60 we did turn away many applicants. This year we are adding a second camp session that same week in July,” Gosz said. “We take considerable pride in conducting our camps and I have no doubt that it would be beneficial to travel to Stillwater. Students who attend take home a DVD of the sets of reasons they have talked over the course of camp, which also includes the current members of the OSU Livestock judging team talking the same sets of reasons.”

Students also get a copy of the OSU Livestock Judging Manual, a cap and a camp T-shirt. There will be OSU scholarships for the outstanding camper and the most improved within each group.

“Over the course of the three days they will have an opportunity to evaluate cattle, sheep and swine and understand performance data, as well as view carcasses in the OSU Food and Agricultural Products Center to better understand the USDA grading system,” he said.

The camp is geared toward presenting oral reasons, which demands a more one-on-one approach. Judging experience is not required.

Gosz said each camper is asked to come ready to learn and work.

“While we have a great time and each camper gets the opportunity to meet other campers from around the country, there’s not much leisure time built in,” he said. “We want to allow everyone the best opportunity to get as good as they can while they are here. The OSU Livestock Judging Camp is widely acclaimed as the finest in the country.”

For additional camp information contact Gosz at 405-744-6060 or e-mail at rusty.gosz@okstate.edu.

— Release by Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.

Biofuel Grasses, Hay Technology: Attend Hay Day June 17 in Noble County

With hay-harvesting equipment demonstrations, educational presentations on biofuel grasses and a variety of exhibitors, the 2010 Southeastern Ohio Hay Day, Thursday, June 17, promises to be a great opportunity for producers serious about maximizing farm income and exploring new ventures.

Sponsored by Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), the event — free and open to the public — will be held from 4-8:30 p.m. at the Eastern Agricultural Research Station in Belle Valley, Ohio, just off Interstate 71 in Noble County. Dinner will be provided.

The program includes a series of hay-equipment demonstrations (raking, baling, mowing and tedding). Exhibitors include hay-equipment manufacturers, local equipment dealers, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and OSU Extension.

New this year are presentations on biofuel grasses and warm-season grass production, said Clif Little, OSU Extension educator in agriculture and natural resources. Larry Merry, Belmont County (Ohio) Port Authority, will be on hand to discuss Berger Plant’s (also located in Belmont County) plans to use biomass for energy generation by 2013. Also, Little will talk about production of switchgrass (a biofuel source), how to establish it, and the costs to produce it and pelletize it.

The Eastern Agricultural Research Station is located at 16870 Township Road 126 near Belle Valley. Take Exit 28 off I-77. Turn south on State Route 21. Go east (left) on State Route 215 for about one mile. Turn right onto Bond Ridge Road (a township road) and look for signs.

The facility is one of 10 OARDC outlying agricultural research stations located around Ohio.

Call 740-489-5300 or 740-732-2682 for more information about the event.

— Release by Ohio State University Extension and OARDC

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