NEWS UPDATE
February 8, 2011

Apply Now for 2011 Beef Leaders Institute

The Beef Leaders Institute (BLI) is designed for American Angus Association members, 25-45 years old, as a resource to provide insight to all segments of the beef industry. Attendees will be stronger, more effective leaders for the Angus breed and beef industry now and in the future.

The Association will provide transportation during the BLI, as well as lodging, meals and materials. The attendees will be responsible for their round-trip transportation between their home and Kansas City (if flying) or Saint Joseph (if driving).

The 2011 BLI is June 20-24. A final schedule will be announced with letters of acceptance.

The BLI is limited to 20 attendees each year. Applications are due to the Association by March 1. Please send the attached application to:

American Angus Association, Attn: Activities & Events Department, 3201 Frederick Ave., Saint Joseph, MO 64506; or fax to 816-233-9703; or e-mail to sstannard@angus.org.

For more information, contact Shelia Stannard (sstannard@angus.org) or Bill Bowman (bbowman@angus.org) or call them at 816-383-5100.

— News release provided by American Angus Association.

NCBA Says Roberts’ Support, Knowledge of U.S. Beef Industry Will Be Valuable in Ranking Member Role

Working with elected officials in the U.S. House and Senate is critical to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA’s) success in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Senate Republican Caucus today confirmed that Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) will be the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry during the 112th Congress. NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Colin Woodall said Sen. Roberts has a long history of defending U.S. beef producers and supporting the U.S. beef industry.

“The number of elected officials who understand and support the U.S. beef industry is dwindling. However, U.S. cattlemen and women should rest easier knowing that Senator Roberts is serving as ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee,” Woodall said. “From supporting efforts to expand export opportunities for U.S. beef to using a commonsense approach to federal government regulations, Senator Roberts has always been a staunch supporter of our business, and we look forward to working with him in his new role.”

Roberts, in his third term in the U.S. Senate, served eight terms in the U.S. House of Representatives where he chaired the House Agriculture Committee. Since being elected to the U.S. Senate, Woodall said Roberts has used his roles on both the Senate Agriculture Committee as well as the Senate Finance Committee to support the U.S. beef industry.

“There are few members of the U.S. House or Senate more committed to supporting the U.S. beef industry,” Woodall said. “Day in and day out, Senator Roberts is willing to step up and oppose regulations or legislation that will be harmful for U.S. cattlemen and women. We saw that in his opposition to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) proposed rule on livestock marketing and to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) efforts to regulate us out of business. He has years of experience and brings a wealth of knowledge into his new role. We congratulate him and look forward to working closely with him to ensure a sustainable U.S. beef industry.”

— News release provided by NCBA.

FCS Financial Announces 2011 Scholarship Program

To encourage and support higher education for relatives of FCS Financial members, FCS Financial will again offer up to 35 scholarships valued at $1,000 each. The scholarship deadline is March 1, and recipients will be notified in April.

More than $215,000 has been distributed through the FCS Financial Scholarship Program since it was established by the FCS Financial Board of Directors in 2004.

To qualify, applicants must be a graduating senior at a Missouri high school, a child or grandchild of an FCS Financial member, and attain a 2.5 or higher GPA, an ACT score of at least 26 or rank in the top 20% of their senior class. The scholarship applicants are then judged on leadership roles, work experience, community involvement and essays by a non-partisan committee. One recipient is selected from qualified applicants at each FCS Financial branch office. Six at-large recipients are also selected from all qualified applicants.

Apply online at www.myfcsfinancial.com. Click on “About Us” then “Scholarship Program.” Relatives of FCS Financial board members or employees are not eligible.

— News release provided by FCS Financial.

Governor’s Forum on Agriculture Examines Today’s Vision for Tomorrow’s Food System

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper joins state and national leaders in the field to examine the changing face of agriculture during the annual Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture Thursday, Feb. 24, at the Renaissance Denver Hotel.

The forum, themed “Today’s Vision for Tomorrow’s Food System,” will examine Colorado’s role in feeding a growing world population. Presenters include Commissioner of Agriculture John Salazar, Colorado State University President Tony Frank and Lowell Catlett.

Economist and futurist Lowell Catlett will present the keynote address on the coming agricultural generation. Catlett is a professor, dean and chief administrative officer at New Mexico State University’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. In addition, Colorado demographer Elizabeth Garner will discuss the state’s population trends. Martin Shields, CSU economist, will detail regional economic characteristics that affect Colorado agriculture.

The forum will also feature a series of afternoon breakout sessions highlighting international trade, local food systems, working landscapes and animal health in production livestock.

Deadline for early registration is Feb. 14. The cost is $100 or $45 for students. After Feb. 14, registration is $120 or $50 for students. To register, visit www.colorado.gov/ag/forum or call 303-239-4100.

In honor of the 20th anniversary of the forum, a special discount is available. Anyone driving more than 20 miles to the forum can save $20 on the cost of registration. This special discount does not apply to the student rate and is only available until Feb. 14.

A pre-forum reception is scheduled from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, at the Governor’s Residence at Boettcher Mansion.

The Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture is hosted by Gov. Hickenlooper, the Colorado Department of Agriculture and Colorado State University, with the support of the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Associates and more than 50 organizations, businesses and agencies interested in the future of Colorado agriculture.

— News release provided by CSU.

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