News Update
July 30, 2010

Unlock Your Weaning Strategy, Tune in to the Next Vita Ferm Angus Hour

Weaning season is one of the most critical time periods in the lives of your calves. How well you manage that hurdle will influence their health, performance, end-product quality — and, most importantly, your bottom line.

Tune in to The Vita Ferm Angus Hour, 7 p.m. (CST), Monday, Aug. 9 on RFD-TV to learn more about comprehensive preweaning and weaning strategies and to hear from industry experts who will discuss solutions to your most difficult weaning management issues.

The live, hour-long program is sponsored by the American Angus Association and Biozyme Inc. and will again include audience questions. (Click here to submit a question prior to the show.)

Industry experts appearing on the program include Howard Jensen, nutritionist for Biozyme Inc.; and Larry Corah and Mark McCully, Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB).

The Aug. 9 educational program is the second of its kind, following the first Vita Ferm Angus Hour that debuted in April. Read more.

AMI Sends Agriculture Secretary Vilsack a Detailed Response to GIPSA `Misconception and Explanation’ Document

American Meat Institute (AMI) President J. Patrick Boyle this week sent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack a detailed response to the Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) ‘Misconception and Explanation’ document issued July 26 when GIPSA announced that it would extend by 90 days the comment deadline for its undue preferences rule.

Boyle said that the decision to extend the comment period is appreciated, especially since the original request for an extension was denied in a July letter from GIPSA Administrator J. Dudley Butler. However, he called the release of the “Misconception and Explanation” document an “unprecedented step in the midst of a notice and comment rulemaking procedure.”

“In some ‘Misconceptions’ the department fails to characterize accurately the nature of significant concerns raised by the proposal,” he wrote. “Moreover, in a seeming attempt to mollify critics and minimize adverse impacts, some ‘USDA Explanations’ actually contradict the plain language of the proposed rule.”

He said that AMI’s analysis details the “errors and misrepresentations in the department’s document.”

To read the response document, click here. To read AMI’s letter to Vilsack, click here.

— Release by AMI.

Young Producer Leaders Help Shape the Future of the Industry

Members of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Young Producers’ Council (YPC) held their biannual business meeting yesterday evening (July 29) during the NCBA Summer Conference. During the meeting, the group discussed initiatives for the 2011 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show to better serve the unique membership needs of young producers between the ages of 18 to 35.

“We want to create opportunities for our young members to grow in this organization,” said Andy Groseta, past president of NCBA who attended the meeting. “This group represents the future of our industry, and it is important that we offer them avenues to gain a better understanding of our association and their impact on its future.”

In addition to discussing plans for upcoming meetings and opportunities for leadership development, YPC members continued developing several social media programs that they are using to promote their group and the cattle industry in general. Policy issues, including the proposed USDA GIPSA proposed rule on livestock marketing were also key points for discussion.

“Our board of directors and committee leaders are made up of young producers from across the country who represent a diverse cross-section of today’s industry,” said Ben Spitzer, YPC chairman. “We’ve got everything from an attorney based in New York specializing in agricultural law to members who have returned to production agriculture and are raising cattle on farms and ranches throughout the country. The issues that addressed and the decisions made during Summer Conference will impact our future. Therefore, it’s critical that members of YPC continue to stay active and engaged in this association.”

The YPC was established during the 2008 Cattle Industry Summer Conference in Denver and was initiated to help NCBA members ages 18 to 35 develop their leadership skills and become more involved in NCBA policy development. The group also helps provide networking opportunities, continuing education and professional development activities to its members. YPC members elected their first slate of officers at the 2009 Cattle Industry Annual Convention in Phoenix, Ariz.

Board members also serve as liaisons for YPC to various NCBA committees. This year’s current board members and their respective NCBA committee assignments are: Ben Spitzer, Ga., chairman; Ben Neale, Tenn., vice chairman; Sharon Breiner, Kan., secretary/treasurer; Evan Tate, Ky., agricultural policy; Brandon Carlson, Calif., cattle health and well-being; Sarah Baker, Idaho, federal lands; Travis Hoffman, Colo., live cattle marketing; RaeMarie Gordon, Colo., membership; Holly Foster, Calif., property rights and environmental management; Wyatt Prescott, Ariz., tax and credit; Tonya Amen, Wis., resolutions.

Immediate past chairman Dustin Dean, Texas, serves the board in an advisory capacity. Three YPC members  serve the council in task force appointments that were made during the Annual Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show: Cari Rincker, N.Y., YPC public relations task force; Anna Aja, Ariz., YPC membership task force; Katy Groseta, Ariz., YPC cattle call blog task force.

“YPC was established to help younger producers gain more effective leadership skills and to give them an opportunity to become involved in NCBA,” said Spitzer. “This is our chance as young members to learn about the grass roots workings of NCBA from the ground up and gain valuable experiences that will benefit our industry and the association in the future.”

Membership in the council is free to current NCBA members. For more information, become a fan of the Young Producers’ Council on Facebook or visit www.BeefUSA.org/ypc.

— Release by NCBA.

Compatible Cattle Grazing and Deer Habitat Pasture Walk

Evaluating pasture for compatible cattle grazing and deer habitat is the topic of a Wayne County pasture walk Friday, Aug. 27. The walk starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Waters farm at 2837 25th St., Lineville, Iowa.

“We’ll walk through the pasture and evaluate the pasture for deer friendly qualities and cattle grazing potential,” said Joe Sellers, Iowa State University Extension livestock program specialist.

Helga Offenburger, Iowa Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist, will discuss factors that contribute to desirable deer habitat in this pasture and what producers can do to improve the habitat while using the pasture for grazing. Dave Waters will talk about his goals for deer habitat improvement while maintaining pastures for grazing.

“There is a lot of potential for compatible cattle grazing and desirable wildlife habitat in the pastures in southern Iowa,” said Carl Neifert, livestock grazing consultant. “We hope to encourage more landowners and cattle graziers to adopt this win-win strategy of pasture management.”

To reach the farm from Lineville, go 3.5 miles north on Highway 65, west on Edison 1 mile, then south on 25th Street 3/4 of a mile. The farm is on the west side of the road. Light refreshments of cookies, pop and tea will be served following the pasture walk. For more information about the pasture walk, contact Neifert at 515-250-8802 or Sellers at 641-203-1270.

The pasture walk is sponsored by the Iowa Beef Center-Iowa State University, Practical Farmers of Iowa, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, South Central Iowa Area Partnership, Natural Resources Conservation Services, and Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture.

— Release by Iowa State University Extension.

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