News Update
Oct. 12, 2010

Angus Business Grows in 2010

Farmers and ranchers who rely on quality Angus genetics continued to see economic growth this year despite lingering challenges in the U.S. beef cattle industry.

According to year-end figures released by the American Angus Association, Angus registrations, bull sale averages, AngusSource® enrollments and Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) sales were among several sectors experiencing increases in fiscal year (FY) 2010, which ended Sept. 30.

“Year-end numbers continue to demonstrate strong demand for quality Angus genetics and solidify our long-held position as a leader in the beef cattle industry,” Bryce Schumann, American Angus Association CEO, said. “These results underscore our members’ commitment to providing genetic solutions to the beef cattle industry, and another consecutive year of record-breaking sales for Certified Angus Beef further substantiates Angus demand.” Read more.

“Advocating for Agriculture Awards” Program Extends Nomination Deadline

Ag Connect Expo 2011 is now accepting nominations for its “Advocating for Agriculture Awards” through Nov. 5, 2010. The three finalists in each category will receive a Flip Ultra HD Video Camcorder. Grand prizewinners get a free trip to Ag Connect Expo 2011, scheduled for January in Atlanta, Ga.

Online voting by the ag community to help select the winners will then get under way Nov. 22 and run through Dec. 9.The awards recognize those who support “in a compelling way the work of farmers and ranchers to provide abundant and affordable food and fiber.” There will be a Grand Prize in three program categories — Woman of the Year, Community Leadership, and Next Generation of Ag.

For additional details on the awards program visit www.agconnect.com/About/General/Awards.

Ag Connect Expo 2011 will be Jan. 8-10, 2011, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

The grand prize winner in each of the three award categories will receive a free trip to Ag Connect Expo 2011, including round-trip airfare for two to Atlanta from anywhere in the continental U.S. Grand prize winners will be announced Dec. 10, 2010.

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) owns and produces Ag Connect Expo 2011.

— Release by Ag Connect.

Colorado State University Extension Hosts ‘Managing Tough Times’ Workshops

Colorado State University (CSU) Extension will host a series of three educational workshops where agricultural producers can learn about practices their families can use to reduce financial, production and human risks during tough economic times. “Managing Tough Times: How Can Your Family Be More Resilient?” educational workshops are designed for farm and ranch families and training workshops for Extension agents, bankers, lenders and other professionals. The workshops will be presented on:

• Thursday, Oct. 21, at the Otero County Extension office, 411 N. 10th St., Rocky Ford, Colo.
  
• Thursday, Nov. 18, at the Rio Blanco County Extension office, 779 Sulphur Creek Rd., Meeker, Colo.
  
• Tuesday, Nov. 23, at the Washington County Fairgrounds Event Center, South Room, 552 2nd St., Akron, Colo.
  

All workshops will be from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Workshop presenters include Norm Dalsted, professor and Extension farm and ranch management economist at CSU; Bruce Bosley, Logan County Extension agent; Bill Ekstrom, Rio Blanco County Extension director; Marvin Reynolds, Pueblo County Extension director; Bruce Fickenscher, Southeast Colorado Extension agent; John Deering, CSU Extension specialist; and Bob Fetsch, CSU Extension specialist.

“Our goal is to provide farm and ranch couples with practical tools they can use to manage tough times,” said Fetsch.“From our previous research related to estate planning we learned that the more adult members of the family who participate in our workshops, the more likely they will take the next steps they need to survive and thrive.” Ranch/farm couples can learn about business and strategic planning and how to:

• Manage cash flow, debt and assets
  
• Use feasibility analysis
  
• Explore alternative crops and farming options
  
• Better manage debt
  
• Use debt restructuring
  
• Identify resources to use in tough times

For more information about these upcoming “Managing Tough Times” workshops, contact Bob Fetsch at 970-491-5648 or robert.fetsch@colostate.edu.

— Release by CSU Extension.

AgriCharts Launches a New Website for Agribusinesses

AgriCharts, the agricultural division of Barchart.com Inc., which provides market data, website hosting and technology solutions to the agricultural industry, today announced the launch of a new www.AgriCharts.com. The redesigned website reflects AgriCharts’ brand as a leading provider of real-time markets, news and weather applications for grain merchandisers, brokers and farmers. The new site also showcases detailed information about AgriCharts’ newest services for cash grain bid management, commodity data feed integration and mobile-based products. Visitors will also find extensive information about AgriCharts’ partners who provide integrated grain trading, accounting, news and weather.

For more information, please visit www.agricharts.com or call 877-247-4394.

— Adapted from release by AgPR.

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