News Update
Feb. 28, 2011

I Am Angus Series Continues Tonight

Whether you’re a consumer or cattle rancher you have a connection to beef. Tonight, Feb. 28, I Am Angus explores that connection.

The hour-long show, which airs tonight at 7 p.m. CST on RFD-TV, is the fourth program in the Association’s four-part television series that began earlier this fall. The February episode — titled “Connections” — celebrates the relationship between America’s cattle ranchers and those who consume the quality Angus beef they raise.

“This latest edition of I Am Angus focuses on the unique stories that reflect our Angus heritage, how we convey that heritage to consumers and what it takes to maintain those connections,” says Eric Grant, American Angus Association director of public relations and communications. “This program is especially relevant in a society where agriculture is often misunderstood.”

The Association-produced program includes segments featuring the following people:

• W.A. McHenry, the Civil War veteran who produced the famed Angus bull Earl Marshall on his farm near Denison, Iowa;
• Steven Burress, Logan, Iowa, and Ardyce O’Neill, Logan, Iowa;
• Bernie Rollin, animal ethicist, Colorado State University;
• Chelsea Good, law student, Topeka, Kan.;
• Gordon Keys, Middleburg, Va.; and Bob Vantrease, Upperville, Va.;
• C.J. Hadley, publisher, Range magazine, Carson City, Nev.;
• Lance and Larry Thompson, Russellville, Mo.;
• Temple Grandin, Colorado State University; and
• Frank and Maria Bramwell, Kansas City, Mo.

Click here to watch a preview of this month’s program, or visit www.angus.org to watch segments from the January show.

KLA Challenges EPA on Proposed Tightening of Dust Standards

Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) staff participated in an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) listening session earlier this week regarding National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate matter or coarse dust, like that found in rural areas. EPA staff outlined options, including maintaining the current standard or making it more restrictive. Agency officials acknowledged the body of research could support either option and keeping the current standard would be protective of public health.  A more restrictive standard likely would place much of Kansas, including rural areas, in “nonattainment,” leading to costly regulation for dust controls.

KLA staff questioned why EPA would consider changes when the current standard offers protection and President Barack Obama has called upon agencies to limit burdensome regulations. EPA staff responded they would consider costs in the implementation of any new standard. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and KLA will continue to analyze and challenge EPA, when appropriate, on the formation of air quality standards.

In a related air quality story, the New England Journal of Medicine published a study last week of 933 European farm children living in households with a variety of airborne bacteria and fungi. These children were found to be much less likely to develop asthma and allergies than their non-farm counterparts, who lived in homes with fewer microbes.

— Release by KLA.

March Workshop Teaches New Farmers How To Make A Profit

Purdue Extension is offering a six-week series, starting in March, to teach beginning farmers about financial management, marketing and legal issues.

Living on the Land is the second part of the small-acreage series and focuses on entrepreneurial farming rather than lifestyle or hobby farming, said Steve Engleking, Purdue Extension educator and Indiana Small Farm coordinator.

“The first part of the program was geared toward how to do the basics,” Engleking said. “Now we want to teach how to generate income from the property.”

Classes will meet from 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. (EST) Thursdays, beginning March 3. The workshops will explore business structures, liability risks and regulatory issues. The last week of the series includes a tour of a small farm.

Purdue Extension specialists and educators, farming industry experts and agency professionals will present through an interactive webinar. Engleking encourages learning from the other participants. 

“We want to emphasize the importance of getting together and networking with others,” Engleking said. “Part of the value comes from face-to-face interaction and learning in a collaborative environment.”

Host counties for the series are Delaware, DeKalb, Floyd, Hamilton, Kosciusko and Wabash, along with Pinney-Purdue Ag Center in Porter County.

Registration fee is $150 per person or $200 for two individuals from the same farm. Registration is open to everyone and is not limited to part one participants.

For more information or to register, contact Engleking at 260-499-6334 or sengleking@purdue.edu, or call your local Purdue Extension office at 888-EXT-INFO (398-4636).

— Release by Purdue Extension.

Cattle Raisers Represented At International Trade Round Table in Austin

Last Thursday in Austin, Texas, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) President Dave Scott, Richmond, attended a round table discussion on international trade hosted by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk. Topics included trade issues important to the Texas beef cattle industry.

“TSCRA members have a vested stake in our country’s trade policies and agreements. TSCRA strongly supports free and fair trading rules in the global marketplace for goods and services. Bilateral trade agreements can benefit many exporting and importing nations resulting in fairer trade rules for all producers and consumers, globally,” Scott said in his comments.

Scott also reaffirmed TSCRA’s support for reopening the U.S. beef market exports to China and urged the U.S. government to make resolving the Mexican Trucking issue a top priority. Scott also encouraged immediate passage and implementation of the South Korea–U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) to end Korea’s 40% tariff on U.S. beef.

— Release by TSCRA.

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