News Update
May 18, 2011

Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) Awareness in Texas: Update (5-17-11)

The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) yesterday, May 17, clarified that there currently are no confirmed cases of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) in Texas, and TAHC has no plans to change entry requirements for equine animals or to cancel any equine events at the present time. According to TAHC, there has been no indication of spread outside of horses that attended the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Western National Championships in Ogden, Utah, April 30-May 8.

For information regarding EHV-1, visit www.tahc.state.tx.us. Several useful links can also be accessed through our website.

— Release by TAHC.

Agricultural Safety and Health Group Changes Name

The National Institute for Farm Safety has changed its name to the International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health (ISASH). 

The organization’s first name change since incorporation in 1962 was prompted by several key considerations, including growth in international membership, an increase in the number of members involved in health and agromedicine, and the desire to replace “farm” with the more encompassing “agricultural.”

“Our new name and tagline, ‘Protecting People in Agriculture,’ better reflect the needs of agriculture and the work of our membership,” said ISASH President Michael DeSpain, John Deere.

A name change was recommended in the 2008 NIFS Strategic Plan. The name change required a membership vote and was approved at the Jan. 18, board meeting.

ISASH is preparing for the first national meeting to be held under its new name, June 26-30, in Boise, Idaho. The theme is, “Strengthening Partnerships across Multiple Disciplines.” Details are at www.isash.org.

— Release by ISASH.

Building Links Between Beef Marketers and Producers

Click here for a video featuring Deanna Walenciak, CAB marketing director, discussing the Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) brand’s programs and strategies to build more links between beef marketers and the production side of the beef business, namely farmers and ranchers.

Turn Cull Cows to Treasure

Cull cows often get a bad rap, but now producers can turn a trip to the local sale barn into opportunity. The Angus Foundation introduces the “Treasure Chest” project, an initiative geared toward Angus farmers and ranchers wishing to donate cull cow proceeds for education, youth and research funding. 

“This is a unique opportunity for Angus producers to give the proceeds from the sale of their cull cows to benefit the Angus breed and agricultural industry,” says Milford Jenkins, Angus Foundation president. “An ordinary trip to the auction market then becomes opportunity for the breed.”

The American Angus Association’s not-for-profit affiliate funds ongoing research projects to advance Angus breeders and other beef producers. Education and youth development are other key focus areas of the entity, which was founded in 1980.

Donors participating in the Angus Foundation’s cull cow program can choose to direct funds to one of the organization’s priorities — education, youth or research — or make unrestricted contributions.

“It’s an easy program to participate in, and it’s a tremendous idea,” says Glen Swanson, a Durant, Iowa, Angus breeder who has participated in the cull cow initiative. “Everybody has a few cull cows that need to go. [This] is just an easy way to tell whoever you sell them through to send the money to the Angus Foundation and go from there.”

Fourth-generation Angus breeder Blanford Pierce of Woodlawn Farms, Creston, Ill., couldn’t agree more.

“I know we’ve all had wonderful females we’ve considered to be ‘treasures.’ Unfortunately, sometimes factors such as age dictate that she be culled. Donating the salvage value proceeds to the Foundation is a way that your particular female can leave her ‘treasure’ status as a legacy,” Pierce says. “It is a small way in which any breeder can participate in this vital and significant fundraising effort.”

Ghent, N.Y., Angus breeder Phil Trowbridge encourages others to participate.

“The cull cow program is a great opportunity for producers of all herd sizes to make contributions to the Angus Foundation,” says Trowbridge, chairman of the Angus Foundation Board of Directors. “This is a very simple way to help lay the foundation for the future of this breed. ”

All funds donated through the Foundation’s cull cow program will go toward the organization’s “Vision of Value: Campaign for Angus,” a capital campaign aimed at raising $11 million by Dec. 31, 2011. More than $7 million in outright cash gifts, pledges and planned giving commitments has been raised toward the campaign, to date.

Ranchers participating in the Foundation’s “Treasure Chest” cull cow program can make checks payable to the Angus Foundation, or instruct their local sale barns to directly contribute proceeds to the Foundation. Donations may be mailed to the Angus Foundation at 3201 Frederick Ave., Saint Joseph, MO 64506.

Contact Jenkins at 816-383-5100 or mjenkins@angusfoundation.org for further information.

— Release by the American Angus Association.

Beef Board Quiz

Click here to test your knowledge about your beef checkoff investment and enter the Beef Checkoff Trivia Challenge. All respondents who submit a completed quiz by Monday, May 23, will be entered into a drawing to win a $50 gift card or one of five “I Heart Beef” caps.

— Compiled by Linda Robbins and Shauna Rose Hermel, Angus Productions Inc.