News Update
January 6, 2012
API’s Updated BCS and COOL Websites Launched
Two of API’s information sites, www.cowbcs.info/ and www.countryoforiginlabeling.info, have been revamped and updated for easier navigation and to provide easy access to the most current information available.
www.cowbcs.info serves as a resource for cattle producers interested in using body condition scores (BCS) to improve their herd’s nutrition and efficiency. The site explains how to use the numeric scoring system and its importance, and teaches cattlemen to evaluate cows in the field to estimate body energy reserves. Detailed photographs, video clips and additional resources are provided.
www.countryoforiginlabeling.info offers information about the controversial issue of country-of-origin labeling. Links to other COOL resources, updated news information and a series of published articles pertaining to the labeling law, which became mandatory Sept. 30, 2008, are provided.
Be sure to check out the new websites to stay the most informed. Additional API information sites are available in the API Virtual Library found online at www.api-virtuallibrary.com.
American Angus Auxiliary Scholarships
Available for Junior Angus Members
The American Angus Auxiliary announces that this year it will award approximately $12,000 in scholarships to the top five male and top five female applicants selected from finalists chosen in the applicant’s home state. Each state auxiliary is eligible to submit one male and one female application to the national contest. The winners will be announced during the closing ceremonies of the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) in Louisville, Ky., July 20, 2012.
In addition, the five finalists for the Miss American Angus contest are selected from the top national female applicants.
The application for American Angus Auxiliary Scholarships is now available online. Interested junior Angus members may download the application, access directions and general information at www.angusauxiliary.com/scholarships/index.html.
Applications from the state contact must be postmarked by May 1, 2012. For specific state and local Auxiliary scholarship deadlines and information, visit the Auxiliary website, or contact your state or regional Angus Auxiliary.
Additional questions about the American Angus Auxiliary scholarships can be directed to Cortney Hill-Dukehart Cates, Auxiliary Scholarship chairman, at 410-489-4960, or at cortneyhd@gmail.com.
The American Angus Auxiliary consists of individuals interested in the welfare of the Angus breed. Its members work to provide educational activities for junior Angus members, such as scholarship programs, awards and competitions. For more information about the American Angus Auxiliary, visit www.angusauxiliary.com/
Missouri State Fair Youth in Agriculture
Scholarship Deadline Feb. 1
The deadline is approaching for high school seniors interested in applying for a Missouri State Fair Youth in Agriculture scholarship. Twenty-four $1,000 scholarships and one supreme $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to qualified applicants pursuing higher education degrees in the field of agriculture. The application form is available online at www.mostatefair.com and must be postmarked by Feb. 1, 2012.
“Scholarships will be awarded to youth who have participated at the annual Missouri State Fair,” said Wayne Yokley, Missouri State Fair Youth in Agriculture Committee Chairman.
To be eligible, scholarship applicants must plan to enroll in an accredited Missouri college or university, with the ambition to acquire a degree in agriculture. Applicants must be high school seniors and active members of 4-H or FFA. While the applicants must have participated at least once as a 4-H or FFA exhibitor at the Missouri State Fair, applicants cannot have sold livestock in any past Missouri State Fair Sale of Champions Auction.
The scholarships are funded through the generosity of Youth in Agriculture sponsors and buyers of the livestock sold during the annual Sale of Champions, with a portion of each animal’s sale price allocated to the scholarship program. The list of supporters from 2011 can be viewed online at www.mostatefair.com/Youth-in-Agriculture.php.
For more information please call the Missouri State Fair at 1-800-422-FAIR (3247) or email questions to mostatefair@mda.mo.gov.
USDA Mississippi River Basin
Partnership Project Proposals Due March 19
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Dave White announced Thursday, Jan. 5, that proposals for conservation projects addressing water quality and wetland conservation in the Mississippi River Basin are due to NRCS by March 19, 2012. Accepted projects would support conservation efforts already under way on agricultural operations in the basin, improve the overall health of the Mississippi River and help reduce hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico.
Through this request for proposals, NRCS is providing up to $37 million in new financial assistance through the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative (MRBI) for projects in 54 priority watersheds in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
These projects will complement actions to be carried out through the new Gulf of Mexico Initiative, an effort that focuses up to $50 million in conservation assistance over three years to farmers and ranchers in priority areas along seven major rivers that drain into the Gulf.
Approved proposals will include conservation practices that prevent, control and trap nutrient runoff, improve wildlife habitat, restore wetlands, and keep agricultural operations productive. Examples of such practices are nutrient, residue and tillage management, crop rotation and tree planting.
A Request for Proposals, which includes a list of eligible watersheds and application addresses, appeared in the Jan. 3, 2012, Federal Register and can be read and downloaded at http://federalregister.gov/a/2011-33692.
This call for project proposals includes new priority watersheds: five that make land between levees eligible for conservation easements in an area extending from southern Illinois to the Gulf of Mexico; five that address water quantity concerns associated with water quality issues; and three watersheds in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin where water quality issues can be addressed.
In addition to funding for new projects, $55 million in additional financial assistance from conservation programs is being made available to support more than 95 previously approved MRBI projects in the 13 states.
Federally recognized Indian tribes, state and local units of governments, farmer cooperatives, producer associations, institutions of higher education and other nongovernmental organizations are encouraged to apply.
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