News Update
October 25, 2011
Ranchers Set Policy at NDSA Convention
Nearly 350 cattle producers gathered in Bismarck Sept. 22-24 for the 82nd annual North Dakota Stockmen’s Association (NDSA) Convention and Trade Show, themed “Together, Facing the Storm,” to set the direction of the state’s beef cattle industry through policy discussions and development.
“I’m extremely proud of the grassroots work of the NDSA,” said Jason Schmidt, Medina rancher and NDSA president. “Members recognize the value of working together to identify priorities and find solutions to the storms we face in the cattle industry, and our policies are the product of that collaboration.”
The NDSA policy-making process begins in the committee meetings, where members initiate, discuss and debate new and expiring resolutions. Several animal health-related resolutions were passed or renewed at the convention, including the Foreign Cattle Imports and Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory resolutions.
NDSA members renewed their beef checkoff resolution, which pledges support of the industry’s promotion, research and education program and encourages an open discussion about amending the Act and Order to enhance the per-head assessment and restore the checkoff’s buying power. Members also renewed resolutions recognizing the North Dakota CattleWomen, the NDSA’s auxiliary organization, for its voluntary work to build beef demand, and directed some checkoff dollars be earmarked to educate teachers and their students about modern beef production and nutrition.
NDSA members passed three separate, but related, resolutions opposing wilderness and wild-and-scenic-river designations and the Antiquities Act, allowing the president to designate national monuments without Congressional approval. NDSA members assert that such designations often result in diminished ability to graze livestock and manage those lands as the landowner sees fit and are the first step in further regulation.
“North Dakota cattle producers support conservation, as well as the rights of current and future generations to manage grasslands relevant to modern stewardship practices,” said Schmidt. “The resolution explains that voluntary, renewable, single-generation conservation easements are far superior to those with perpetual terms and strike a more appropriate balance of values.”
A series of resolutions focused on surface owner issues and challenges that have arisen as new technology has allowed North Dakota’s substantial oil reserves to be tapped. Members passed policy supporting a fair compensation plan that better reflects the lost production of developed land, elevation of surface owner rights, enforcement of current statute and changes to the permitting process to allow for more input from townships, counties and cities in the development process to reduce infrastructure impacts.
Members opposed the Dakota Prairie Grasslands Plan and called for the utilization of North-Dakota-generated and range-science-supported alternatives that promote wildlife and rangeland health without significant livestock reductions. The resolution also lends support to the idea of returning the management of the national grasslands to grass-minded agencies.
Members asserted support for voluntary, incentive-based and locally controlled approaches to clean water. Members emphasized the need for effective, common-sense tools for insect, fungi and rodent control and called for statutory changes to facilitate a more reasonable consultation process for the registration of such products.
A complete list of the new and renewed NDSA policies will be published in the November North Dakota Stockman magazine. The 2011 NDSA Resolution Book, which will include all policies passed in 2009, 2010 and 2011, will be available soon upon request by calling 701-223-2522.
NMSU Extension to Host 2011 Ag Day Event in
Las Vegas Nov. 9
The free event is hosted by New Mexico State University (NMSU) Extension offices in Guadalupe, San Miguel and Mora counties and NMSU’s Northern New Mexico Outreach Project.
“Agricultural information and training will be provided for local farmers, ranchers and other residents to strengthen their agricultural activities,” said Judy Finley, NMSU Extension agriculture and small business development agent. “Speakers will be agriculture specialists from NMSU, USDA agencies and other agriculture professionals.”
This event is a follow-up to last year’s Women and Ag event sponsored by the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). “Last year’s event had more than 100 agricultural producers and professionals in attendance,” Finley said. “We are sure this year’s event will be equally successful."
A wide variety of topics will be addressed during the event.
“Presentations will be on livestock, horse health, marketing, vegetable production, financial planning and many more topics,” Finley said. “Participants will be able to obtain information from vendor booths on new products and federal programs available to agricultural producers. The day will include a free lunch.”
2011 Ag Day is sponsored by Sangre de Cristo Valley Livestock Growers, Bank of Las Vegas, Plaza Hotel, Community First Bank of Las Vegas, Guadalupe Farm Bureau, San Miguel Farm Bureau and the Tierra y Montes Soil and Water Conservation District.
Producers Invited to ISU Beef Nutrition Research Showcase
People who attend Iowa State University (ISU) football games and who also are interested in beef research have a unique opportunity awaiting them on the date of the final home ISU football game Nov. 18. ISU’s Iowa Beef Center and beef nutrition faculty and staff are planning the “Beef Nutrition Research Pregame Showcase” beginning that morning.
ISU Extension and Outreach beef program specialist Joe Sellers said organizers hope that having the showcase the same day as the night football game will enable more people to attend and learn about the research being done at ISU.
“The research showcase is just that — a look at the wide variety of research happening at Iowa State,” he said. “The event will run from about 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., giving everyone plenty of time to attend pregame activities before the 8 p.m. kickoff.”
The showcase begins and ends at the Beef Nutrition Farm, and will take place rain or shine. The farm is located at 3405 North Dakota Ave., approximately 4 miles north of the Highway 30/South Dakota Avenue interchange on the southwest corner of Ames. See a map with driving directions here: http://g.co/maps/5vycy. Signs for parking will be posted.
“The showcase starts with registration at the farm from 10:30 to 11 a.m. and then we’ll divide into smaller groups for an on-farm tour with several stops,” Sellers said. “About noon, bus transportation will be provided to Kildee Hall on campus for lunch and more presentations. Following the final session, buses will return people to the farm.”
Before the morning tour begins, attendees can watch a demonstration of a Teagle Tomahawk 8080WB bale shredder and talk with farm manager Jim Dahlquist. Staff and faculty will provide information on a number of topics, including feed efficiency in beef cattle, an overview of grazing research at the farm, and dealing with high sulfur diets.
Assistant professor of animal science Stephanie Hansen said several students also will be part of the event.
“Four graduate students and two undergrads will present current information about the research projects they’re working on, ranging from testing for sulfur concentration of ethanol co-products to using calcium oxide treated stover in feedlot cattle diets,” she said. “They’re excited to share what they’ve learned and how results could benefit producers.”
Thanks to sponsorship from Elanco Animal Health and Titan Machinery, the entire Beef Nutrition Research Pregame Showcase is free. However, it’s important to preregister to assure adequate transportation, materials and meal counts for attendees. Please preregister by emailing beefcenter@iastate.edu or calling 515-294-2333 with the name and address of each attendee no later than Nov. 11.
To order tickets to the ISU-Oklahoma State football game, contact the ISU ticket office at 515-294-1816.
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack on Priorities for the
2012 Farm Bill
Monday, Oct. 24, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke at the John Deere Des Moines Works on USDA priorities for the 2012 Farm Bill. His remarks as delivered can be found at http://bit.ly/ukCbrE.
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