News Update
October 7, 2011
Six Youth Receive $1,000 Scholarships from Pennsylvania Livestock Association
Six outstanding youth, including four National Junior Angus Association members, received $1,000 scholarships from the Pennsylvania Livestock Association (PLA) based on leadership skills, a keen interest in the livestock industry, involvement in the Keystone International Livestock Exposition (KILE) and support of PLA.
Agriculture Secretary George Greig and PLA President Brian Kreider presented the awards at the Opening Ceremony of the 55th KILE Thursday, Oct. 6, at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg.
Recipients were Katie Harvison, Troy Longenecker, Kate Livingston, Morgan Livingston, Ryan Nolt and Lindsay Upperman.
Kate Livingston is the daughter of Tim and Nancy Livingston of Dover. A 2010 graduate of Dover Area High School, Kate is a sophomore at Penn State majoring in agriculture education with a minor in animal science. She plans to return to her family livestock and crop operation upon graduation. Kate developed her own herd of Angus and Shorthorn cattle, and is a member of the state and national junior Angus associations.
Morgan Livingston is the daughter of Bob and Darlene Livingston of Spring Grove. She is a student at Shippensburg University studying social work with plans to become a counselor. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Junior Angus Association and served as youth chair of the Education Committee for the 2011 National Junior Angus Show(NJAS). Morgan maintains a small registered Angus herd and has seen many showring accomplishments.
Ryan Nolt is the son of Eugene and Charlene Nolt of New Holland. A junior at Penn State, Ryan is studying animal science with ambitions to work in the livestock industry. Ryan is an integral part of his family’s farm operation, which includes hog finishing, tobacco production and beef cattle.
Lindsay Upperman is the daughter of Steve and Jane Upperman of Chambersburg. Valedictorian of her class at James Buchanan High School, Lindsay is now a student at Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kan., studying animal sciences. Her ultimate goal is to become a research geneticist. She has been most proud of her success with her bred-and-owned Angus cattle, including having the grand champion bred-and-owned heifer at the 2010 KILE. Lindsay has been an active member of the state and American Angus associations, including serving as Pennsylvania Angus Queen. Most recently, she served as the junior fundraising chair for the NJAS in Harrisburg.
Katie Harvison is the daughter of Lloyd and Brenda Harvison of Titusville. An honors graduate of Maplewood High School, Katie is a sophomore at Penn State with a dual major in animal sciences and agricultural and extension education with future plans to be an ag educator and possibly a large animal veterinarian.
Troy Longenecker is the son of Paul and Joy Longenecker of Annville. An honors graduate of Annville-Cleona High School, Troy is a sophomore studying animal science at Penn State. He plans to pursue a career as a large animal veterinarian and maintain his own livestock herd.
The KILE is the largest livestock show on the East Coast ,with 1,100 beef cattle, 500 horses, 1,000 sheep and 950 swine exhibited by producers from 32 states. For more information, visit www.keystoneinternational.state.pa.us.
TSCRA Announces Ranching 101 Series
The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) will host a series of Ranching 101 seminars at TSCRA headquarters in Fort Worth. The series is free to all participants and begins Tuesday, Oct. 18, at 1 p.m. Additional sessions are scheduled on the third Tuesday of each month. While the seminar is designed for people starting off in the ranching business or looking to improve their existing operation, anyone interested in the cattle business is invited to attend.
The seminars will give participants practical, sound guidance on the tools and equipment needed to get started in ranching. The first seminar will specifically focus on breeds, genetics and selection of cattle. A series schedule is listed below.
• Tuesday, Oct. 18 — Breeds, genetics and selection breed differences, basic selection criteria, where to buy cattle, mating systems, genetic improvement and bull management
• Tuesday, Nov. 15 — Laws, leasing and liability lease structure, example leases and rates, tips for absentee landowners, hiring day workers, day worker liability and unpaid help liability
• Tuesday, Jan. 17 — Animal health and disease management, common diseases and treatment, choosing a veterinarian, creating a herd health plan, necessary vaccinations and antibiotic use concerns about residues
All seminars will take place at TSCRA Headquarters, 1301 W. Seventh Street in Fort Worth from 1-5 p.m.
A complete agenda can be found at http://www.tscra.org/education/ranching101.
Space in each session is limited. Participants should RSVP to Stacy Fox at sfox@tscra.org or by calling 1-800-242-7820.
TSCRA’s Ranching 101 seminars are sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health.
Precautions Protect Against Cattle Thefts
Old West days are long gone, but cattle producers still need to take steps to prevent the theft of livestock by modern-day cattle rustlers.
John Michael Riley, agricultural economist with Mississippi State University (MSU) Extension Service, said cattle prices have been high during most of 2011, with record-high prices last spring.
“As the value of the cattle increases, so does the incentive for theft,” Riley said. “Cattle producers need to be careful how they conduct business, which includes knowing the buyer or seller is honest and has a good reputation.”
Texas recently sentenced a man with a lengthy history of cattle theft to 99 years in prison for stealing 400 cattle, worth more than $200,000, from an Oktibbeha County rancher. Using a fake name and cattle company, Carl Wade Curry arranged to “buy” the cattle but never sent payment.
Robert Jordan, director of the Mississippi Agricultural and Livestock Theft Bureau, said an average of about 250 head of Mississippi livestock are stolen each year, mostly cattle, but also some horses.
“Theft incidences increase during the winter months when animals are more responsive to feed buckets,” he said. “Thefts are most often in remote areas with easy access. Occasionally, (thieves) will cut a fence and bring panels to round up the animals, but they are usually in pastures with a catch pen handy.”
Jordan said law enforcement may be able to relocate about half of the stolen animals.
“The vast majority of stolen cattle are not branded and are hard to identify,” he said.
Jane Parish, beef cattle specialist with MSU Extension Service, said keeping good records and having methods of identifying cattle are the best ways to prevent theft.
“Because ear tags can be cut out, tattoos or brands are common permanent methods for marking ownership, especially with registered animals,” she said. “Freeze brands are recommended because they are less stressful on the animals. The Extension Service has a freeze branding publication for cattle producers wanting more information.”
Parish said after Hurricane Katrina damaged so many fences, many cattle producers relied on photos to support ownership claims.
“Most cattle rustlers are going to look for easy targets, such as cattle kept in secluded areas with minimal supervision or gates without locks,” she said. “Producers protect their herds with vaccines, but they should not stop there.”
Parish said communication with local law enforcement, neighbors and other producers is important in keeping animals secure.
The MSU Extension publication P2464 Freeze Branding Beef Cattle can be downloaded from this website.
Omaha Steaks to Support Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Omaha Steaks announced Thursday, Oct. 6, a partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure in support of their mission to end breast cancer forever. From October 2011 through September 2012, Omaha Steaks will donate 10% of the purchase price of selected steak combo packages to Susan G. Komen with a guaranteed minimum donation of $25,000.
Omaha Steaks will invite customers to participate in their “Raising the Steaks” campaign to help Komen in the fight to save lives by purchasing one of several exclusive steak combo packages. The packages, which feature a wide assortment of gourmet items, including Omaha Steaks filet mignons, top sirloins, burgers, pork chops and award-winning franks, will be offered at discounted prices throughout the yearlong campaign. Ten percent of the purchase price of each package will be donated to Komen.
“As a fifth-generation family-owned company, Omaha Steaks has long been committed to supporting charitable causes nationwide,” said Senior Vice President Todd Simon. “We commend the remarkable achievements of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and we are honored to support them in their ongoing mission to find the cures for breast cancer.” For more information on Omaha Steaks “Raising the Steaks” campaign to benefit Komen, visit www.steakbytes.com.
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