News Update
Dec. 10, 2010

NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Colin Woodall on Confirmation of Rep. Frank Lucas as House Agriculture Committee Chair 

“We are optimistic about the 112th Congress for a whole host of reasons. Specifically, our confidence in Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) to represent the interests of rural America and those who provide safe and affordable beef for a growing global population gives us reason to expect commonsense reform to many misguided decisions this administration has put forth.

“Under the leadership of Rep. Lucas, we expect the Environmental Protection Agency, USDA’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration and other departments within this administration to be held accountable for regulations that will stymie the success of innovative and creative cattle producers who are the very best stewards of the land.

“Rep. Lucas understands the importance of agriculture. He is aware of the unique challenges facing agriculture and is ready to pursue opportunities for the entire industry. We look forward to working with Chairman-elect Lucas and the entire committee in the 112th Congress to lay the foundation for an industry that allows for prosperous future generations of cattlemen and women.” 

— Release by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).

NFU 2011 Priorities to be Outlined at Kansas Farmers Union Convention

National Farmers Union (NFU) Vice President of Government Relations Chandler Goule will speak at the annual convention of the Kansas Farmers Union (KFU) in Salina, Kan., on Saturday, Dec. 11. Goule will meet with Kansas members to discuss the lame-duck session of Congress and the 2012 Farm Bill.

“One good thing that has come out of the most recent session of Congress is the reauthorization of the child nutrition bill,” said Goule. “Hopefully, Congress will also extend the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) and 1603 Treasury Grant Program for wind energy before the end of the year. We also urge Congress to reinstate the Biodiesel Production Tax Credit. It is critical that these pass so that renewable energy continues to thrive and we can continue down the path of energy independence.”

Goule will also discuss the challenges associated with writing the 2012 Farm Bill.

“Money will be extremely tight, so that means that it is especially important that we focus on our key priorities,” said Goule. “There are 37 farm bill programs without baseline funding past 2012. NFU will continue to advocate for the continuation of many of these programs, particularly those that help during difficult times, such as the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program.” 

Other speakers at the convention include Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Josh Svaty and Karl Brooks, Region 7 administrator with the Environmental Protection Agency.

— Release by NFU.

Dan Moser Featured Speaker for VT Beef Webinar January 11

Dan Moser from Kansas State University (K-State) will be the featured speaker for the second Beef Webinar sponsored by Virginia Cooperative Extension and scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 11. Moser will provide insight on the role and use of genomics in beef cattle selection through the webinar titled “Utilizing DNA for Genetic Improvement of Beef Cattle: Past, Present, and Future.” Moser has been actively involved in research and industry projects related to this topic, including the NCBA Carcass Merit Project. Moser also teaches genetics and animal breeding courses at Kansas State, and is active in his family’s Hereford and Angus seedstock operation.

Check with your Extension Agent about accessing the program at your local office. Producers with high-speed internet service can access the meeting at home. Webinar information and meeting links are also available on the Virgina Tech (VT) Beef Extension webpage www.vtbeef.apsc.vt.edu/. From the VT Beef Extension site, you can click on the meeting link and go directly to the meeting. Participants in the online meeting will have the opportunity to ask questions through an online chat box or over the telephone using a number provided during the program.

A recording of the December Beef Webinar can be accessed through the VT Beef Extension page. In addition to the January meeting, future webinars are scheduled for February and March. If you have questions please contact Mark McCann at 540-231-9153.

— Release by Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Quality Assurance 101 Workshop to be at AMI Expo

Attendees of the American Meat Instutute (AMI) International Meat, Poultry and Seafood Industry Convention and Exposition, scheduled for April 13-16, 2011, at McCormick Place in Chicago, Ill., will have the opportunity to attend the American Meat Science Association (AMSA) Quality Assurance 101 Workshop, which will be co-located with the Expo. Qualified buyers who register for the AMSA workshop will be eligible for discounted registration for the AMI Expo.

During the workshop, top industry experts in the field of quality assurance will equip participants with the tools they need to monitor and maintain the quality of their products. Course topics will cover basic quality assurance concepts, including introduction to quality assurance philosophy; product quality principles; collection and use of data; basic sanitation and sanitary design; regulatory issues; preparing for audits; food safety concerns; and shelf life issues.

To register for the workshop, go to www.qa101.org/. For more information contact AMSA at information@meatscience.org.

The official website of the AMI International Meat, Poultry and Seafood Industry Convention and Exposition, www.amiexpo.com/, includes registration, hotel and travel information, detailed conference information and exhibitor lists. It also has resources for suppliers including information on how to exhibit and how to make the most of your experience at the show.

To follow the latest news about the Expo on Facebook, click here: http://on.fb.me/9dRQFT.

— Release by AMI.

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