News Update
March 16, 2011

Angus Job Openings

Angus Productions Inc. (API), and the American Angus Association have two job openings. API is searching for an Associate/Senior Associate Editor and the Angus Foundation is searching for a Marketing and Public Relations Assistant. For more information on these positions, please visit the API Virtual Library at www.api-virtuallibrary.com/AngusJobOpenings.htm.

McFarland Selected to Represent Angus at YCC

Landi McFarland of Ellston, Iowa, has been selected to represent the American Angus Association at the 2011 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Young Cattlemen’s Conference (YCC).

The Angus Foundation will sponsor McFarland’s registration and travel expenses.

This is the ninth year the Angus Foundation has funded an Association member to attend YCC. Read more.

One in Four Americans Worried about Having Enough Money for Food

One in four Americans is worried about having enough money to put food on the table in the next year, according to a national hunger survey by Hart Research Associates, commissioned last month by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) and Tyson Foods Inc. (TSN). Another key finding is that many Americans are unaware of how serious hunger is in their own communities.

The online survey was initiated as part of Tyson’s “KNOW Hunger” campaign, which is focused on helping more people understand and actively address the problem of hunger in the U.S. The survey found that 24% of respondents indicated they are very or fairly concerned about being able to afford food at some point in the next year, while 31% are slightly worried.

The survey, which is one of the largest and most comprehensive ever conducted on attitudes and perceptions of hunger, also revealed that many Americans may be underestimating the seriousness of hunger in their own community. Two-thirds of the people surveyed rated hunger as a more serious problem nationally than in their own community. Yet according to a report published in 2010 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service, 14.7% of American households are food insecure at least some time during the year, the highest recorded levels since 1995, when the first national food security survey was conducted.

While more than one-third of those surveyed indicated they have a direct connection to hunger, 59% of respondents were surprised to learn the parents of hungry children in the U.S. typically have full-time jobs A majority also assumed hunger is concentrated in urban areas; however, according to USDA, hunger is slightly higher among rural households than the national average.

“The research shows that the vast majority of Americans believe that hunger is a problem for the country, and it also shows they are committed to the belief that no one should go hungry,” said Jim Weill, FRAC president. “No community is free from hunger, but the survey demonstrates very broad and deep support for efforts from both the public and private sectors to implementing solutions to this continuing challenge for our nation.”

“As we’ve become involved in hunger relief over the past 10 years, engaging our employees, customers and communities, we’ve seen evidence of what this survey confirms,” said John Tyson, chairman of Tyson Foods. “People do think hunger is a serious issue. They’re willing to become involved. But they also need to be shown how it directly impacts their own communities. We believe creating more awareness creates more involvement.”

“The survey confirms what we see every day,” said Lynn Brantley, president and CEO of the Capital Area Food Bank. “Hunger affects more than the homeless. It also impacts people who are employed but simply don’t make enough to consistently feed themselves or their family. While we provide many different kinds of foods to the agencies we serve, meat and poultry are typically among the most requested, but least available, foods.”

Tyson also released a video today of testimonials from well-known Americans who have experienced hunger. “I know for us there were plenty of times when I didn’t go to bed with a full stomach and we didn’t know how malnourished we were,” said Spencer Tillman, a network sports commentator and former professional football player who grew up in Oklahoma. Tillman, TV chef and author Sandra Lee, and President and CEO of the Arkansas Rice Depot food bank Laura Rhea provided comments for the KNOW Hunger campaign. To see video of their stories go to www.tysonfoods.com/Media-Room.aspx.

— Release by Tyson Foods.

Ranch Management University Scheduled April 12-15 in College Station

Ranch Management University, a four-day program targeting novice landowners, is scheduled April 12-15 at Texas A&M University in College Station.

“This unique new landowner workshop is designed to help new landowners improve their understanding regarding management of the various resources they find on their ranch properties,” said Larry Redmon, workshop coordinator and Texas AgriLife Extension Service state forage specialist. “The inaugural event was offered last October in College Station and the event was a huge success. The attendees were very satisfied with the program and exit surveys indicated everyone believed they would receive great economic benefits from attending the program.”

Redmon said program attendees were “impressed with the knowledge they gained about managing their natural resources in an ecologically sound manner.”

The April workshop will include the following topics: soils and soil fertility, forage species selection, hay production, weed and brush management, winter pasture establishment and utilization, beef cattle breed selection, nutrient requirements and feeding strategies for livestock, grazing management strategies, chute-side talk/ live animal handling demonstrations of vaccinations, and dehorning and castration of cattle.

“An agricultural economist will also be part of the agenda, discussing a number of topics including how to plan for profit, how to develop a marketing plan and a look at alternative enterprises,” Redmon said. “Additionally, horses, sheep and goat production will also be covered.”

Several wildlife management topics are also on the agenda, ranging from white-tailed deer and turkey management, fisheries management in ranch ponds and what to do about feral hogs.

“Field demonstrations will include learning how to assess body condition scores for cattle, how to obtain proper soil and hay samples, and how to assess fish populations in ponds,” Redmon said.

“There will also be a discussion regarding pond weeds and a demonstration on hog trap design.”

Breakfast items, lunch, three suppers, and all break refreshments will be included in the cost, as well as a resource CD containing more than 100 publications covering ranch resource management.

Attendance is limited to the first 50 people who enroll and the slots are beginning to fill, Redmon said. Cost is $450 through April 8 and $475 April 9-12.

For additional information and registration fees, contact Redmon at 979-845-4826 or at l-redmon@tamu.edu.

To register online and for additional information, go to http://agrilifevents.tamu.edu and type in RANCH MANAGEMENT as key words in the search window.

— Release by Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

Northeast Lean Beef Sweepstakes Winner from Connecticut

The checkoff’s Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative (NEBPI) announced the winner of the “Lean Beef for a Lean You” sweepstakes: Ms. Kim Karanian from Amston, Conn. Karanian will receive a $250 Spa gift card and a $250 grocery shopping spree to Geissler’s Supermarkets.

Karanian’s online sweepstakes entry was one of more than 10,900 entries on www.LeanBeefSweepstakes.com, a surprising increase of 46% compared to the entries received from the 2010 New Years’ promotion. The promotion ran from Jan. 10 through Feb. 28, 2011, in 117 grocery stores throughout the Northeast and five store locations in Kentucky. Karanian said she was enticed to enter the sweepstakes through an online search of the Geissler’s Supermarket website. 

“I cook beef all the time, about three to four times each week,” Karanian says. She stated her favorite recipe is Garlic Prime Rib and she also enjoys the old-fashioned meatloaf and meatball recipes. Registering online, Karanian was also able to learn about the more than 29 different cuts of beef that qualify as ‘lean’ according to USDA standards. 

“Shoppers are utilizing online tools to enhance their shopping experience, become educated on their food choices and to become engaged with our store and our products,” says Ryan Nilsson, Meat Department Supervisor at Geissler’s Supermarkets. “We appreciate contests such as this that help us to build some excitement within the store.”

The checkoff’s NEBPI is preparing to launch into the summer grilling season when a similar promotion will be offered with a grand prize of a $500 shopping spree and a professional barbecue tool set. Runner-up prizes will include engraved 10-piece kitchen knife sets and copies of The Healthy Beef Cookbook.

For more information about your beef checkoff investment, visit www.MyBeefCheckoff.com.

—  Adapted from release by the Beef Checkoff Program.

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