News Update
Jan. 18, 2011

Apply for Angus Internships Before Feb. 1

The American Angus Association is offering two internship opportunities for college students hoping to further their education and gain valuable real-world experience with the world’s leading beef breed association.

Available internships offer goal-oriented students an opportunity to build upon writing, editing, photography and organizational abilities while developing knowledge of agriculture and the beef industry. Deadlines, requirements and application details for the paid internships follow.

• The Association’s Junior Activities Department is offering college sophomores, juniors or seniors the opportunity to assist with the planning and execution of junior shows and leadership events, and to gain experience in association work. Applicants must be enrolled in an agriculture-related major and should be self-starters who are detail-oriented, outgoing and have the ability to work well with all types of people. Travel to the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) Conference and other shows should be expected as part of the internship.
  
  The internship spans approximately late-May to mid-August, with specific starting and ending dates depending on the applicant’s availability. Applications are due Feb. 1, 2011.
  
  Applicants may send a cover letter, résumé and references to: Robin Ruff, Director of Junior Activities, American Angus Association, 3201 Frederick Ave., Saint Joseph, MO 64506.
  
  For more information contact Ruff at 816-383-5100 or rruff@angus.org.
• The Public Relations and Communications Department is now accepting applications from college juniors or seniors studying communications or agriculture communications. Applicants with writing and design backgrounds who have completed coursework in news and feature writing, editing and design are encouraged to apply. Photography experience and an understanding of video and/or social media would be an asset in this fast-paced internship. Travel is likely.
  
  The internship spans approximately late-May to mid-August, with specific starting and ending dates depending on applicant’s availability. Applications are due Feb. 1, 2011.
  
  To apply, send a cover letter, résumé, references and writing samples to: Crystal Albers or Crystal Young, American Angus Association, 3201 Frederick Ave., Saint Joseph, MO 64506.
  
  For more information contact Albers or Young at 816-383-5100; calbers@angus.org or cyoung@angus.org.

Despite Snow, Dry Conditions Still Affecting Wheat Pasture Cattle Operations

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow; unfortunately, even with a recent dusting of fluffy white flakes, it remains extremely dry in most of the winter wheat grazing areas of the Southern Great Plains.

Dry conditions last fall made it difficult to establish wheat pasture in many areas and limited growth for winter grazing, leading to a number of current beef producer and industry concerns.

With high feeder prices and limited feeder supplies, there is a lot of interest in how many wheat pasture cattle are out this winter, especially relative to the timing of those cattle into the market, said Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University (OSU) Cooperative extension livestock marketing specialist.

“Wheat pasture conditions vary considerably in different regions, making it difficult to develop an overall assessment,” he said. “Most wheat pasture was planted late and developed late, delaying placement of wheat pasture cattle.”

High wheat prices may have limited grazing interest somewhat, but attractive wheat grazing prospects remained for much of the fall. However, emerging dry conditions curtailed grazing prospects prior to Christmas so the overall window for placing wheat pasture cattle was fairly narrow.

Given those situations, Peel believes that the number of cattle on wheat is probably no greater than it was last year and may be somewhat less.

“I traveled some over the holiday season and noticed a wide range of wheat pasture conditions at the time,” he said. “Most notable were several sets of cattle grazing extremely short or limited wheat. Those cattle will have to move very soon to other pasture or be marketed.”

The cold weather currently in place has shut down or at least severely limited plant growth, depending on the exact location of a producer’s operation.

“Given that the amount of wheat pasture available is quite limited and cattle prices are attractive and may go higher still, producers will want to minimize risk to grain yield,” Peel said.

There seems to be little incentive to hold onto cattle, particularly if forage is short. Peel said he would not be surprised to begin seeing wheat pasture cattle trickling into the market in the coming weeks. However, he does not expect to see any sizable bunching of cattle or a noticeable “run” of any size going into early March.

— Release by OSU Extension.

Stockgrowers Pleased with Governor’s Decision

The South Dakota Stockgrowers are very pleased to learn of Governor Daugaard’s decision to move brand investigators to the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) under the authority of the state Attorney General.

The Stockgrowers believe this move is good public policy. It will result in improved training for brand investigators and provide the opportunity for more efficient work force management. We believe this move will result in more successful prosecutions of brand law violations.

“This is a great move for South Dakota livestock producers who are protected by the brand inspection program,” said Stockgrowers’ President Kenny Fox. “South Dakota’s brand inspection program is an essential tool in safeguarding livestock against theft. Putting the brand investigators under the DCI will make those investigators more effective and that’s good for producers.”

Past President Ken Knuppe said, “The Stockgrowers have promoted this change for many years and we are pleased to see Governor Daugaard take the initiative and institute this constructive public policy.”

— Release by South Dakota Stockgrowers Association.

Colorado State University Recognizes Randy Blach as Livestock Leader

Randy Blach, a longtime supporter of Colorado State University (CSU), has been selected by faculty members of the Department of Animal Sciences as the 2011 Livestock Leader. Blach was recognized on Saturday, Jan. 15, during Colorado State University Day at the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) in Denver.

The person or people selected each year for the Livestock Leader award are dedicated to the livestock industry, have demonstrated leadership and furthered their field. The Department of Animal Sciences recognizes each of the recipients for their work with the prestigious award and portrait, which are prominently displayed in the department.

Blach is CEO of Cattle-Fax, an organization focused on helping member cattle producers make more profitable marketing and management decisions. Blach came to Cattle-Fax in 1981 and served as director of market analysis for 15 years before accepting his current role in 2001. He has been a keynote speaker at hundreds of cattle and beef industry conventions, meetings and seminars.

A Colorado native, Blach and his family remain actively involved in cattle ranching with cow-calf, stocker and finished cattle operations. Blach was raised on his family’s ranch in Yuma, Colo., and graduated from CSU with a degree in animal science. Blach received the Honor Alumni award from the College of Agricultural Sciences in 2004. He and his family live in Centennial, Colo.

“Randy and the entire Blach family have been longtime friends of Colorado State University and the College of Agricultural Sciences,” said William Wailes, head of the Department of Animal Sciences at CSU. “He is a graduate, an honored alumni and charter member of the CSU Beef Club, which supports the College. We are proud to present the Livestock Leader Award to Randy.”

The Blach legacy at Colorado State was well established before Randy set foot in Fort Collins. Seven of his older brothers and sisters made CSU their school of choice, as did his father, Perry.

“We have given so very little compared to the way our lives have been enriched by our friendships and involvement with the Colorado State University family,” Blach said.

— Release by CSU Extension.

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