News Update
June 1, 2011

API Providing Online Coverage of BIF Conference

Visit www.BIFconference.com for Angus Productions Inc. (API) online coverage of the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) conference this year, June 1-4, at Montana State University in Bozeman, Mont.

Through financial support by Biozyme Inc., API sponsor since 2007, and in cooperation with BIF, API provides online coverage of the annual event that is recognized as the leading forum for exchange between those who develop technologies for breed improvement and those who implement them.

During and after the conference API will post news and highlights from the event. Visit the Newsroom page for summaries of the presentations written by API writers, as well as PowerPoint presentations, audio, proceedings and support materials provided by the speakers.

The Registration and Hotel Page will become a Photo Gallery page and will host photo galleries from the symposium and tours.

Re-visit the Award Winners page after the meeting for announcements of this year’s winners including seedstock and commercial honorees, Continuing Service Award winners, Pioneer Award winners, Ambassador of the Year Awards, Frank Baker Memorial Scholarship Award winners and Roy Wallace Award winners.

Farmers and Ranchers Back House Spending Bill 

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and the National Turkey Federation (NTF) May 31 praised House lawmakers for including language in an agriculture funding bill that would prevent the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from implementing its proposed regulation on livestock and poultry marketing.

The House Appropriations Committee Tuesday evening voted to approve legislation that funds USDA, the Food and Drug Administration and related agencies for fiscal year 2012, which begins Oct. 1, but denies money for USDA’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) to promulgate the proposed livestock and marketing regulation.

NCBA President Bill Donald, a Melville, Mont., rancher, said the legislation will prevent government intervention into the private marketplace.

“This is the first step in preventing an unprecedented government invasion into the private marketplace. Big government has invaded banking, healthcare and more. The last thing we need is the federal government setting up shop on cattle ranches throughout the country,” said Donald. “The marketplace works well without government intrusion and this legislation is proof that many in Congress feel the same way.”

John Burkel, NTF’s secretary-treasurer and a turkey farmer from Badger, Minn., said the GIPSA rule will result in job losses and would negatively affect a variety of farmers, including limiting their ability to enter into marketing agreements. The provision affects all farmers and ranchers.

“The more than 1,000 family farmers who raise turkeys in this country rely on production and marketing contracts to make a living. As one of those farmers, I commend the House Appropriations Committee for putting the brakes on this rule,” said Burkel. “If the final rule were implemented, it could result in a fundamental change in the way turkeys are raised in this country, a change that I don’t think would benefit farmers. This rule is so flawed it can’t be fixed, and Congress is right to try and scrap this rule, insisting that GIPSA go back to the specific provisions agreed to in the 2008 Farm Bill.”

Along with government intrusion into private business, the organizations also criticized the rulemaking process. USDA initially allowed just 60 days for public comments to be submitted and did not conduct an economic analysis of the rule. The agency also issued a “clarifying” document on the regulation in the middle of the comment period. While it subsequently agreed to perform a cost-benefit analysis, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack has denied requests to open the analysis to public comments despite a bipartisan letter from 147 members of Congress.

“The Obama administration said it would be open and transparent, but on this rule, USDA has not been,” said NPPC President Doug Wolf, a pork producer from Lancaster, Wis. “The language in the agriculture appropriations bill will give livestock and poultry producers a much-needed timeout on the GIPSA rule and prompt the agency to write a regulation consistent with what Congress asked it to do and to adhere to the law in writing a new rule.” 

— Release by NCBA.

North Dakota Stockmen's Association Hosts Feedlot Tour in Southeastern North Dakota

The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association (NDSA) Feeder Council will host its ninth annual Feedlot Tour in southeastern North Dakota June 21. Buses will depart from the Buffalo Mall parking lot in Jamestown at 8 a.m., CDT.

“The tour provides fellow feedlot operators and others a chance to see some of the latest advancements in feedlot construction, as well as better understand the environmental precautions taken in the development, management and maintenance of modern-day feeding systems,” said NDSA Feeder Council Chairman Jamie Hauge of Carson. “This is an excellent opportunity for those who are interested in North Dakota’s feeding industry to come and take a look.”

The first tour stop will be Wendel Livestock, owned by Mike and Sheri Wendel of Lamoure, N.D. Wendel Livestock is a 700-head permitted feedlot, constructed in 2007. The Wendels primarily utilize the feedlot to develop their own Angus seedstock. The facility features a complete relocation of the feedlot, which was inundated by a nearby lake. It also features a curbline feeding system and a combination of sucker rod, barb and electric feedlot fencing.

KT Cattle Co. of Cogswell, N.D., a permitted, 999-head feeding facility built in 2006, is the second stop on the tour. Owners Kevin and Ronda Throener operate a custom backgrounding, finishing and heifer development operation. The feedlot features a unique, adjustable neckrail design over a curbline feeding system. In addition, the feedlot utilizes concrete waterers and a vegetative water spreading system for containment.

Lunch will be served at the KT Cattle Co. stop around noon.

The third tour stop will be at Lyons Feedlot near Lisbon, N.D. Jim and Jeff Lyons own and operate the 950-head permitted feedlot. It was constructed in 2009 and features a combination of open feedlot pens and a constructed hoop barn. The feedlot backgrounds and finishes owned cattle and utilizes a curbline feeding system.

The final tour stop is at Schultz Livestock Inc. of McLeod, N.D. It is owned and operated by Randy, Larry and Kevin Schultz. It features a newly constructed hoop barn, which was finished in 2010 and is permitted for 999 head. The Schultzes background their own cattle. The feedlot features covered concrete, heavy use pads and bunkline, including an outside manure stacking pad. 

The bus will return to Buffalo Mall parking lot in Jamestown around 6 p.m.

The cost to participate is $15 per person, which includes bus transportation and lunch. Preregistration by June 17 is appreciated. To preregister, contact NDSA Environmental Services Director Scott Ressler at 701-223-2522 or sressler@ndstockmen.org.

— Release by NDSA.

Genetics and Grading Trends

Analyses of feedlot records show that as Angus influence increases so do the percentages grading Choice and Prime.

Click here for a video featuring Larry Corah, vice president, supply development, for Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) with recent genetic and grading trends.

Today is Deadline for NJAA Contests

June 1 is the deadline for the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA)/Angus Journal Photography Contest. Entries must be postmarked on or before June 1 to be eligible.
Today is also the entry and recipe deadline for the American Angus Auxiliary-sponsored All-American Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) Cook-Off.

— Compiled by Shauna Rose Hermel, editor, Angus Productions Inc.