News Update
August 2, 2010

AngusSource Surpasses Half-Million Mark

The American Angus Association’s AngusSource® program reached an important milestone this week, surpassing 500,000 head enrolled since the age-, source- and Angus genetic-verification program became a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Process Verified Program (PVP) in 2005.

Since that time, more than 1,600 producers have enrolled in AngusSource, helping fuel the program’s steady tradition of annual growth — including this year’s 18.2% increase in number of head enrolled.

“The genetic-verification component sets AngusSource apart from other age- and source-verification programs,” Sara Snider, AngusSource director, says. “The exponential growth we see year after year is a testament to the value of Angus genetics.” Read more.

Beef Tour Showcases Outstanding Genetics

A group of 24 individuals including beef producers and ABS staff from Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay traveled to North America for a 10-day tour showcasing ABS genetics.

“ABS enjoys hosting this tour as it gives us the opportunity to strengthen the relationship between ABS and the South American beef market,” stated Todd Sears, International Beef Marketing Manager.

Vasco Beheregaray Neto, South American Beef Marketing Manager, added, “Our main objective during the tour was to provide a better understanding of U.S. beef genetics and the importance of EPDs (expected progeny differences) in the selection process. Through our tour stops (including visits to a number of beef operations and breed association offices), we were able to achieve our objective and give tour participants the opportunity to view progeny in real world environments and ask questions.”

The group toured a number of diverse, progressive beef operations utilizing superior genetics from ABS in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri featuring Angus, Red Angus, Polled Hereford and Brangus progeny. In addition, the group also visited the American Angus Association and Red Angus Association offices and Circle A feedlot.

— Release by ABS.

Colorado State, Texas Tech Students Receive W. D. Farr Scholarships at Cattle Industry Summer Conference

Two graduate students were recognized with scholarships awarded in honor of one of the cattle industry’s greatest pioneers, the late W.D. Farr of Greeley, Colo. The two annual $12,000 scholarships were established to honor Farr by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF). The presentation was made in conjunction with the 2010 Cattle Industry Summer Conference.

Recipients are Jennifer Schutz, a doctoral candidate specializing in ruminant nutrition at Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins, and Rebecca Tokach, who is completing a master’s degree, with a specialization in muscle biology and meat science, at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. Tokach will begin pursuing a doctoral degree in 2011.

Schutz, a native of Akron, Colo., holds an associate degree from Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colo., and a bachelor’s in animal science and a master’s degree in agriculture, specializing in Extension education, from CSU. She has been involved in university-level research aimed at improving feedlot performance to increase profitability and studying the nutrient composition of beef. She worked on one of several university teams updating beef’s nutrient profile in the USDA’s National Nutrient Database. Schutz plans to continue research into beef dietary nutrition when she graduates.

Tokach is a native of Saint Anthony, N.D., where she grew up on a purebred Angus operation. She received a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, majoring in animal science, from Kansas State University (K-State) in 2009. During her junior year, she was awarded the K-State College of Agriculture’s Student of the Year Award, an honor usually reserved for a graduating senior. She received numerous other undergraduate academic honors and was active in ag college student government, as well as other agriculture and breed organizations. After receiving her doctorate, Tokach plans to continue research work in the private sector and, eventually, to teach in a university setting.

Farr was the first president of the NCF. His career spanned 75 years and included innovations in cattle feeding, uniform beef grading, water conservation and banking. In 1970, he served as president of the National Cattlemen’s Association, which later became the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). Farr died at age 97 in August 2007.

— Release by NCF.

USDA and DuPont Collaborate on New Test for Hard-to-Detect Foodborne Pathogens

DuPont and the USDA have agreed to collaborate on the development of a new test for detecting hard-to-identify strains of toxin-producing E. coli that are not currently regulated and have been causing increased instances of food contamination and illness.

DuPont was among the first to develop tests for E. coli O157:H7, the type of shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) most frequently associated with global food contamination outbreaks. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) uses the DuPont™ BAX® System to monitor for this pathogen.

In recent years, other types of STEC have been identified as agents of foodborne illness, and these are a growing concern in the United States, Europe, Japan and food safety agencies worldwide. The Agriculture Research Service (ARS) of the USDA will collaborate with DuPont Qualicon to develop an effective test for the “Big 6” non-O157 STEC pathogens in food, and also will expand the diagnostic tools offered for use in the DuPont BAX System.

“The USDA continually looks for opportunities to collaborate in ways that will expedite research to assist regulatory agencies and move technologies into the marketplace. This collaborative project to develop a discriminating STEC test is a good fit with our mission,” said Pina Fratamico, USDA ARS research microbiologist.

“Developing the best science available into applications that meet the needs of the food industry has been our mission for more than a decade,” said Marcos Cantharino, global business director — DuPont Qualicon. “Our DNA-based technology is easy to use, rapid and accurate, and provides the food industry with a simple and reliable test system to help assure protection of the global food supply.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimate that non-O157 STEC bacteria are responsible for 36,000 illnesses, 1,000 hospitalizations and 30 deaths annually.

Food processing companies around the world rely on the BAX System to detect pathogens or other organisms in raw ingredients, finished products and environmental samples. The automated system uses leading-edge technology, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, tableted reagents and optimized media to detect Salmonella, Listeria species, Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7, Enterobacter sakazakii, Campylobacter, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio, and yeast and mold. With certifications and regulatory approvals in the Americas, Asia and Europe, the BAX system is recognized globally as one of the most advanced pathogen testing systems available to food companies. For more information and photos, please visit www.qualicon.com.

— Release by DuPont.

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