News Update
September 8, 2010

National Western Angus Bull Sale: Consign Now and Save

If you’re planning to consign a bull to the National Western Angus Bull Sale, enter before Sept. 15 to save $50 on entry fees.

The National Western Angus Bull Sale will take place at 5 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 12, in the Beef Palace Auction Arena at the Stock Show Complex in Denver, Colo. The annual event is the only sale managed by the American Angus Association®.

“This sale traditionally features an excellent offering of purebred and commercial herd sire prospects,” says David Gazda, sale manager and Association regional manager. “In past years some of the breed’s most influential AI sires have been consigned by some of the nation’s leading Angus breeders and sold through this annual event.”

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No Association Between Red Meat and Colorectal Cancer, Analysis Finds

Currently available epidemiologic evidence is not sufficient to support an independent positive association between red meat consumption and colorectal cancer, according to a new review published in Obesity Reviews by researchers D.D. Alexander and C.A. Cushing.

In this comprehensive review, the currently available epidemiologic prospective studies of red meat intake and colorectal cancer were summarized to provide a greater understanding of any potential relationships. Specifically, salient demographic, methodological and analytical information was examined across 35 prospective studies.

Collectively, researchers found that associations between red meat consumption and colorectal cancer are generally weak in magnitude, with most relative risks below 1.50 and not statistically significant, and there is a lack of a clear dose–response trend.

Results were variable by tumor site and by gender. Data were not indicative of a positive association among women. Findings in men were slighting stronger, although the potential reasons for this observed disparity between genders was unclear.

“Colinearity between red meat intake and other dietary factors (e.g., Western lifestyle, high intake of refined sugars and alcohol, low intake of fruits, vegetables and fiber) and behavioral factors (e.g., low physical activity, high smoking prevalence, high body mass index) limit the ability to analytically isolate the independent effects of red meat consumption,” researchers concluded.

Obesity Reviews is the official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity and can be accessed here: www.meatami.com/ht/a/GetDocumentAction/i/62576.

— Release by American Meat Institute.

OSU Changes Venue for Highly Anticipated Sept. 15 Temple Grandin Seminar

Animal scientist and autistic expert Temple Grandin, whose life story put to film recently won five Emmy awards, will be speaking Sept. 15 at Oklahoma State University (OSU).

“Interest has been so high that we’ve had to change the venue to Gallagher-Iba Arena to ensure everyone who wants to can attend,” said Robert Whitson, vice president, dean and director of OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

Grandin’s special seminar will take place at 2 p.m. in OSU’s historic arena, located on Hall of Fame Avenue next to Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater. The seminar is free and open to the public.

A professor of animal science at Colorado State University, Grandin said she enjoys helping people — and especially students — better understand animal behavior and best management practices relative to animal handling.

“I will be talking about animal welfare, animal auditing, animal measurement, animal behavior, cattle handling and how autism helps with animal behavior,” she said.

The division’s department of animal science is sponsoring the event.

Steve Damron, OSU professor of animal production, is pleased that the seminar will bring one of the most celebrated and influential scientists of this time to campus.

“Students, faculty, staff and ranchers will have the opportunity to interact with the person who initiated major paradigm shifts in both animal handling and the world’s view of autism and autistics,” he said. “What a priceless experience.”

In addition, Ron Kensinger, head of the department of animal science, will discuss a new endowed chair to be housed in animal science named in honor of Grandin. The seminar will kick off the campaign to raise money for the Temple Grandin Endowed Chair in Animal Behavior and Well-Being.

“Her life story has inspired many in terms of her ability to overcome obstacles,” Kensinger said. “Her career-long accomplishments are a perfect illustration of how fundamental research may one day lead to tremendous practical advances. We are privileged to have friends who recognize the value of naming an endowed chair in animal behavior and well-being in Dr. Grandin’s honor.”

For more information about the seminar, please call Debra Danley at 405-744-6070 or e-mail debra.danley@okstate.edu.

“The opportunity to bring Dr. Grandin to campus and share her work with the Oklahoma State University community is wonderful,” Kensinger said. “Grandin-designed animal handling facilities are known to reduce stress on animals, and are the benchmark for the livestock industries. She taught us important lessons in how we should interact with animals today.”

— Adapted from OSU release.

AgriLife Extension Reminding Texans About Disaster Preparedness

September is National Preparedness Month, and Texas AgriLife Extension Service is supporting national efforts to increase public awareness on how to prepare for and recover from an emergency or disaster, according to agency experts.

The Department of Homeland Security designated September as National Preparedness Month, in large part because 9-11 falls in that month, said Janie Harris, a housing and environmental specialist for AgriLife Extension, an educational outreach component of the Texas A&M System.

“With this being National Preparedness Month and with the number of tropical storms and hurricanes that have been forming recently, now is a particularly appropriate time to emphasize preparing for the possibility of a natural or man-made disaster,” she said. “Plus, we want to remind Texans that our agency has a lot of free, objective information and publications to help them prepare for or recover from a disaster.”

Harris said no-cost, public information is available through two AgriLife Extension-related websites, as well as through agency personnel located in county offices throughout the state.

The first of the websites is that of the Texas Extension Disaster Education Network, or Texas EDEN, at http://texashelp.tamu.edu/. This site contains disaster preparation information on topics such as making a family escape plan, preparing a disaster supply kit, identifying shelter opportunities and locations, and taking precautions for home and office safety.

The second informational website is the AgriLife Extension Bookstore, http://agrilifebookstore.org/. This site has publications addressing a variety of disaster-related issues including recovery safety, basic first aid, restoring home and belongings, financial recovery, and post-disaster food and water safety.

Many disaster and emergency-related materials on these sites can be downloaded and printed free of charge, Harris said, and several are available in Spanish.

“We’re an educational agency, and our main concern is to provide people with information they can use to help protect themselves, their families and their property,” she said.

There are numerous considerations before, during and after an emergency or disaster, and each disaster has its own unique personality and set of challenges, Harris added.
 

“For more information on disaster preparedness, the AgriLife Extension and Texas Department of State Health Services publication ‘Preparing for the Unexpected’ can be downloaded free,” she said.

The publication is available in English or Spanish and can be found at the AgriLife Bookstore website. The publication identification number is B-6178 for the English-language version; B-6178S for the Spanish-language version.

She said people also need to be aware of safety issues that may occur when returning to a home or business after a disaster, such as structural damage or damage to electrical wires or gas lines and the risk of contaminated water, and that AgriLife Extension also has materials to address those concerns.

“County AgriLife Extension agents are encouraged to utilize emergency preparedness materials in their programming throughout the year,” said Andy Vestal, the agency’s director of emergency management programs. “But this month provides a special incentive for our agents and specialists throughout the state to promote preparedness toward both natural and man-made disasters.”

Vestal said the agency supports the state’s emergency management doctrine of taking action based on risk, not occurrence.

“The doctrine states that ‘Although the likelihood of an event may be small, when the consequences are huge, Texas prepares,’ ” he said, “and we’re completely behind that philosophy.”

Vestal also noted that AgriLife Extension’s agricultural roots and expertise make it a useful resource for disaster-related information and technical support for farmers, ranchers and other agribusinesses regarding disaster preparedness and recovery.“Our personnel and materials can help with disaster preparedness and recovery in both rural and urban settings,” he said, “and that makes us uniquely suited to help the residents of Texas.”

Vestal added that AgriLife Extension offices often coordinate with other county, state or national agencies during an emergency or disaster.

“Millions of Texans are already familiar with our agency and their local AgriLife Extension office as a source for information and help on many quality-of-life issues,” he said. “We want to take this opportunity in support of National Preparedness Month to remind them that protecting themselves and their family from disaster is also a quality-of-life issue and that we can help.”

— Release by AgriLife Extension

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