News Update
Nov. 3, 2010

American Angus Auxiliary to Meet in Louisville

The American Angus Auxiliary will once again host its annual meeting and activities in conjunction with the 2010 North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) Super-Point Roll of Victory (ROV) Angus Show and the127th annual meeting of the American Angus Association in Louisville, Ky., Nov. 13-15.

The Auxiliary will begin activities Saturday, Nov. 13, with its annual meeting, election of officers and announcement of new regional directors at the Crown Plaza-Airport.
Sunday morning will begin with the popular and entertaining American Angus Auxiliary Breakfast

Sunday, Nov. 14. All Angus enthusiasts are invited to attend the event, which begins at 8 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza. Tickets to the breakfast can be purchased at the Angus registration desk; however, a limited number are available, so reservations are requested. Contact Auxiliary secretary- treasurer Anne Lampe at alampe@wbsnet.org. Please pay for your tickets when you pick them up at the Angus registration desk in the Crown Plaza lobby. Tickets are $23 per person and include a full hot breakfast buffet.

Auxiliary President Kathi Creamer will host a reception for anyone interested in learning more about the Auxiliary on Sunday afternoon from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the President’s Suite.

Sunday’s activities will also conclude with speeches given by the five young women selected from outstanding scholarship applicants and vying for the title of Miss American Angus. The speech portion of the Miss American Angus contest is open to the public as is the crowning of the 2011 Miss American Angus on Monday, Nov. 15, just prior to the selection of the champion Angus bull at the NAILE.

For more information on the American Angus Auxiliary and its programs visit www.angusauxiliary.com.

Statement from NCBA President Steve Foglesong on Election Results

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Steve Foglesong issued the following statement about the results of the 2010 midterm election:

“Over the past two years, our nation’s farmers and ranchers have overcome threats of a cap-and-trade bill, legislation to ban the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture and a rapidly expanding federal government. Despite what leadership in the 111th Congress may have believed, cattle producers don’t need big government setting up camp in cattle country. I am hopeful the newly elected members of Congress will restore some much needed balance and common sense to Congress.

“America’s farmers and ranchers will once again face a daunting list of challenges in the 112th Congress, including passing a new Farm Bill and working on tax policies; environmental regulations; international trade; renewable fuels policies; and food safety and nutrition. We are ready to work with the new Congress to build a stronger and more prosperous agricultural industry across the country. The transition starts now. NCBA is eager to start building relationships with all of the new members of Congress. We will take our stories to Capitol Hill and discuss the challenges and opportunities we face each day as we work to shape policy affecting the way we operate our farms and ranches.

“While NCBA is looking forward to working with the newly elected Congress, we would also like to thank Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Blanch Lincoln (D-Ark.) for her unwavering support of U.S. cattlemen and women. We would also like to thank House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) for his leadership. We look forward to continue working with him in 112th Congress on the Farm Bill and other critical issues. We also look forward to working closely with Congressman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), as he is likely to become the Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, and with the new Senate Agriculture Committee leadership.

“At the end of the day, however, we must not lose sight of the fact that the 111th Congress isn't over yet. Over the course of the next few weeks, Congress must take action to prevent family farmers and ranchers from being hit with the return of the 55% death tax on Jan. 1, 2011. Family-owned and run farming and ranching operations are the lifeblood of rural America, but the return of the death tax would be a devastating blow to farmers and ranchers who’ve planned their entire lives to pass their operation on to the next generation.”

— Release by NCBA.

Education of New Members, Cooperation Critical in Creating the 2012 Farm Bill

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson issued the following statement regarding the results of the midterm elections and the new leadership in both the House Committee on Agriculture and the Senate Agriculture Committee:

“NFU has a long history as a bipartisan agricultural organization, working with those on both sides of the aisle. With a large number of new members of Congress, NFU is focused on education and ensuring that the newly elected members of Congress understand the significance of the issues that rural Americans face.

“NFU was founded on the basis of its symbol, the Farmers Union Triangle, with the three sides representing education, cooperation and legislation. These three core values will be extremely important as we work on the 2012 Farm Bill. We must educate new members on the issues and create strong, cooperative, bipartisan legislation that best reflects the interests of farmers, ranchers, fishermen and their rural communities nationwide.

“Writing any new legislation, particularly the 2012 Farm Bill, will be challenging because of the difficult budget conditions we face. The limited funding means that it is critical that the farm bill use funds efficiently to protect farmers and ranchers from economic uncertainty. NFU continues to support increased safety nets for farmers, research and usage of renewable energy, and responsible environmental stewardship.

“Historically, the agriculture committees in both the House and the Senate tend to be bipartisan, as Congressmen frequently vote based on regional interest rather than their party. We look forward to working with House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Lucas and the new chairperson of the Senate Agriculture Committee as we continue to advocate for our members throughout the country. We also look forward to working with the new leader of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to create legislation that will help reduce our dependency on foreign oil and increase consumption of renewable fuels produced right here in the United States.”

“National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.”  

— Release by NFU.

Stanley Stout Supporters Gather at the American Royal for Campaign for New K-State Livestock Marketing and Learning Center

Leaders from the livestock industry gathered at the American Royal Oct. 28 for The Final Drive. The Final Drive kicked off the second phase of fundraising for the Livestock Marketing and Learning Center in memory of Col. Stanley E. Stout at Kansas State University (K-State). K-State is taking the campaign to a national level and encouraging seedstock producers to designate one lot in their respective livestock sales, and donate the proceeds from that lot to the fund.

Seedstock producers and industry leaders from New York to New Mexico have raised $250,000 for the center through private donations. Kenneth Odde, K-State department head of Animal Sciences and Industry, said the university needs to raise another $250,000 during the next year before they can break ground for the center.

The Livestock Marketing and Learning Center will serve as the home for K-State's annual Legacy Sale, which is managed by students. The center will be available for producers to hold sales and video auctions and serve as a multi-purpose teaching unit for various educational events. Odde said the center will be an asset to the College of Agriculture and not only create opportunities for students, but also serve as a resource for the livestock industry.

The Livestock Marketing and Learning Center will provide traditional and nontraditional agriculture students with more exposure to the livestock industry. Dan Moser, K-State professor of beef cattle genetics, said the center will be a valuable addition to the university from a teaching standpoint.

“It will provide hands-on learning and animal observation opportunities,” he said.

The fundraising began as a tribute to Stout. The center will bear Stout’s name in honor of his lifelong support of K-State and the livestock industry.

Ryan Breiner, manager of the K-State Purebred Beef Barn, said K-State wanted to honor Stout as a longtime supporter of the university and believed naming the building after him would be a fitting tribute.

Kristian Rennert, American-International Charolais Association field representative, considered Stout a mentor.

“Stanley was a legend in the business of livestock marketing and was extremely loyal to his Kansas State roots,” he said. “He’s an icon for the livestock industry.”

For more information regarding donations to the Livestock Marketing and Learning Center, contact Emilie Fink, Kansas State College of Agriculture development officer at 785-532-7571.

— Release by K-State Research and Extension.

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