News Update
Nov. 5, 2010

KAA Partners with CAB® for Annual Carcass Data Project

The Kansas Angus Association (KAA) is planning its 2011 Carcass Data Project (CDP). The CDP is designed for producers using registered Angus bulls that may not have enough steers to make a whole pen at a commercial feedyard but want to retain ownership and collect individual carcass data on their steers or for producers that may want to feed a few head and compete for recognition as the 2011 CDP winner. Kansas Angus Association members are encouraged to promote the CDP to their bull customers, and entries from out-of-state are welcome.

To participate in the project producers must enter a minimum of five spring-born steers weaned at least 45 days prior to delivery. Steers must be out of a registered Angus bull and have a known sire or sire group. An approved vaccination program as well as having individual identification tags is also required.

The KAA is proud to announce a new partnership with Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) that will enhance your CDP experience. CAB is sponsoring up to a $750 cash award and CAB merchandise, including a jacket, to the owner of the top CDP entry (based on participant’s top three steers). In addition, CAB will present each CDP participant with a travel coffee mug. Actual cash award is based upon participation.

McPherson County Feeders (MCF), Marquette, Kan., will host the 2011 CDP. MCF was awarded CAB Feed Lot Partner of the Year in 2010.

The annual CDP gets underway in December. Entries are due Dec. 15, $5 per head entry fee payable to the KAA. McPherson County Feeders will bill participants twice a month for feed and yardage. Participants are responsible for delivery/transportation to MCF, Dec. 28-30, 2010. For more information or an entry form contact KAA secretary/manager Anne Lampe at kansasangus@wbsnet.org, 620-872-3915 or visit www.kansasangus.org.

— Release by KAA.

Fall Back Into Breakfast

As clocks turn back to mark the end of Daylight Savings, the beef checkoff is taking time to remind consumers to add a healthy, protein-packed breakfast to their morning routine. Research suggests that including protein like lean beef at breakfast promotes satiety, which can curb hunger when trying to maintain or lose weight. What’s more, a new study finds that balancing protein intake across three meals by increasing protein intake at breakfast and lunch protects muscle when losing weight. With these benefits in mind, Daylight Savings is the perfect opportunity to save the day and break free of that morning rut with a protein-rich breakfast.

“People tend to consume about 65% of their protein in one sitting at dinnertime, not realizing all the benefits of spreading protein intake throughout the day,” says Shalene McNeill, beef checkoff executive director of nutrition research. “It is especially important to think outside ‘the cereal box’ when it comes to breakfast because high-quality protein foods like lean beef can be an important, simple and delicious addition to the morning routine.”

According to McNeill, there are many advantages to beefing up breakfast and incorporating the right balance of protein, nutrients, and flavor:

• Breakfast is Easy: Breakfast doesn’t have to be time-consuming. There are many simple, creative and delicious ways to include lean protein in a breakfast routine. Visit BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com for a bevy of beefy new breakfast ideas — from grab-n-go weekday wonders to gourmet ways to beef up a weekend brunch.

• It’s a Nutrient Powerhouse: Lean beef is a naturally rich source of 10 essential nutrients, and a perfect partner for the everyday breakfast favorites like whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products, making it simpler to start the day in a balanced way.

• A Little Beef Goes A Long Way: Just one 3-ounce (oz.) serving of lean beef provides nearly 50% of the Daily Value for protein. From folding 95% lean ground beef crumbles into a breakfast burrito to using last night’s leftover pot roast in a beefy sweet potato hash, beef makes it easy to incorporate more protein into the daily breakfast schedule.

• Help Shed Those Pounds: Including protein at breakfast promotes satiety, which can curb hunger when trying to maintain or lose weight. What’s more, choosing lean beef as a source of high-quality protein is actually a calorie-saver. A 3-oz. serving of lean beef is, on average, about 154 calories. That’s more than 7 Tablespoons (680 calories) of peanut butter to get the same amount of protein.

For more information on recipes, nutrition information and to learn more about how to include nutrient-rich lean beef in your daily breakfast routine, visit the checkoff-funded BeefNutrition.org. For more information about your beef checkoff investment, visit MyBeefCheckoff.com.

— Release by the Beef Checkoff Program.

NCBA Sets Sight on Stopping Return of the Death Tax During Lame Duck Session

While the results of the midterm election are currently grabbing headlines nationwide, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) urges members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate to focus on the unfinished business of the 111th Congress. When Congress reconvenes on Nov. 15, NCBA’s top priority for the lame-duck Congress is stopping the death tax from reverting to staggering pre-2001 levels. Additionally, NCBA will carefully monitor how Congress resolves the 12 annual appropriations bills that have yet to be funded, as well as whether or not Congress allows multiple tax cuts and credits (including the 2001-2003 Bush-era tax cuts) to expire at the end of 2010. But given the limited window of time with which Congress has to work, it’s anyone’s guess what will actually be accomplished during the lame duck.

If the estate tax goes untouched, on Jan. 1, 2011, it will return to pre-2001 levels, meaning all assets that exceed $1 million will be taxed at a rate of 55%. Colin Woodall, NCBA vice president of Government Affairs, said this would be a devastating blow to family-owned farms, ranches and small businesses. NCBA is actively pursuing all opportunities to secure critical relief from the estate tax during the lame duck session.

NCBA continues to support a full repeal of the estate tax. However, Woodall said a full repeal is not doable and NCBA supports legislation introduced in the Senate by Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) and Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) and in the House by Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.) and Kevin Brady (R-Texas) to increase the exemption level to $5 million and reduce the rate to 35%. The proposals also ensure that any relief related to the exemption is tied to inflation and that a stepped-up basis is included.  

Before leaving town in September, Congress passed a continuing resolution that funds the government through Dec. 3. During the lame-duck session, Congress must act before the continuing resolution expires by either passing an omnibus appropriations bill or passing another continuing resolution and delaying further action until 2011. Woodall said NCBA will carefully watch legislation to fund conservation programs critical to cattle producers as well as research funding that enables our industry to improve genetics, as well as animal health and management practices.  

Deciding how to handle the Bush-era tax cuts, in addition to numerous other tax credits that are set to expire at the end of 2010, could potentially be the most contentious issues the lame-duck Congress considers. Debate is expected during the lame-duck on whether the tax credits should be extended for all tax brackets or just some tax brackets. In addition to research and development tax credits, ethanol tax credits and import tariffs are also set to expire at the end of the year. NCBA supports allowing the ethanol tax credits and import tariffs to expire in order to level the playing field with cattle producers and other industries whose primary input expense is corn.

— Release by NCBA.

ICA Open Heifer Test Ready For Consignments

Reservations for the 2010-2011 Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) open heifer program are being taken through Nov. 19, but could close earlier if pens become full.

This is the 13th year that ICA has conducted the program, which is open to both purebred and commercial heifers. The value of the ICA open heifer program is producers can compare their genetics to other producers through a highly regarded program. This is an excellent opportunity to get important performance information on your seedstock without having to tie up lot space.

Heifers will be delivered to the Van Meter Feedyard facility in Guthrie Center on Dec. 6. After arriving at the ICA test station, heifers will complete a 21-day warm-up period to adjust to the facility and will be placed on-test on Dec. 27. Heifers are fed a growing ration over a 99-day testing period. Interim weights will be taken during the test period.

Heifers will be sold in consignor lots at the Tama Livestock Auction on Friday, May 6, 2011.
Read more about the general guidelines for the program. 

— Release by ICA.

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