News Update
February 20, 2012
Texas A&M Researchers Unlock Quarter Horse Genome
In a study recently reported in the journal BMC Genomics, researchers at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, working with collaborators in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Texas AgriLife Genomics and Bioinformatics Center, have sequenced the first Quarter Horse genome.
Genome sequencing is not a new science, but advances in sequencing technology, often referred to as next-generation sequencing, have made it easier and cheaper to sequence the genome of an individual, according to the researchers. It can then be analyzed for clues causing genetic disorders and distinctive traits.
The Texas A&M Quarter Horse is the first horse to be sequenced using next-generation sequencing technology, according to researchers.
"Genome sequencing aids our study of normal and abnormal genetic variation," said Scott Dindot, lead researcher and assistant professor in the veterinary pathobiology department at the College of Veterinary Medicine. "This project is important because it is a start towards understanding what genetic factors make breeds unique and what mutations may play a role in presenting or diagnosing disease."
Livestock Judging Clinic Scheduled for March 24 at Texas A&M
Texas 4-H and FFA youth and agricultural leaders interested in acquiring livestock evaluation skills can attend a judging clinic scheduled for March 24 at Texas A&M University in College Station. The clinic will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will be at Pearce Pavilion located on George Bush Drive.
The award-winning Texas A&M Livestock Judging Team and coaches will teach the half-day clinic, which will focus on evaluation training for breeding and market beef cattle, sheep, goats and hogs.
"This clinic is designed for youth involved in livestock judging to prepare for district, area and state contests and to polish their judging skills," said Jake Franke, Texas A&M livestock judging team coordinator. "We will teach the fundamental principles behind livestock evaluation, and those in attendance will gain greater insight to how we put classes together and how the dynamics change from one class to another."
The clinic will involve hands-on learning and will include the opportunity for the youth to judge different classes, which will be followed by a review of how the Texas A&M Judging Team would place the class.
Registration is available online at http://judgingcard.com. Cost is $6 if registered by March 19. Late registration can be made the day of the camp starting at 7:30 a.m. for $10.
For more information, please contact Franke at 806-683-3285, email jfranke@tamu.edu or go to http://animalscience.tamu.edu/images/pdf/youth/judging-clinic-12.pdf.
K-State's Cattlemen's Day 2012 Set for March 2
Kansas State University (K-State) will host its 99th Annual Cattlemen's Day Friday, March 2, on the university's Manhattan campus. The day kicks off at 8 a.m. in Weber Hall with a commercial trade show, educational exhibits and sponsored morning refreshments, with the program beginning at 10 a.m. Featured presentations and speakers during the morning session include:
- Market Outlook for the Cattle Industry — Glynn Tonsor, K-State Research and Extension agricultural economist
- Demand for Choice and Prime Beef: The Walmart Effect and Beyond — John Stitka, Certified Angus Beef LLC.
- Dealing with Declining Inventories Amid Excess Feeding and Packing Capacity — Mike Sands, Informa Economics Inc.
After a sponsored lunch, breakout sessions at 1:15 p.m. will cover several topics, including Beef Cattle Genomics; Feed and Cattle Market Risk Management for Cow-Calf Producers; Update on Prevalence and Testing for non-0157:H7 STECs (Shiga toxin-producing E. coli); Preparing Bulls for Semen Collection; and Telltale Signs from Cattle Necropsy: A Real-Time Demonstration.
Breakout sessions beginning at 2 p.m. include: Role of Collagen Cross-Links in Beef Tenderness; Cattle Feeding Programs and Fat Profiles of Beef — Implications for Flavor Attributes; Limit-Feeding Programs for Cows and Calves as an Alternative to Roughages; Cow and Heifer Synchronization; and Bovine Leukosis.
More information and online registration is available at http://www.asi.ksu.edu/p.aspx?tabid=343 or by contacting Eve Clark at 785-532-1280 or evec@ksu.edu. The cost to register if paid by Feb. 24 is $20 per person; after that date and at the door is $30. There is no charge for students.
Cattlemen's Day will be followed K-State's 35th Annual Legacy Sale at 3:30 p.m. in the university's Purebred Beef Teaching Center, offering bulls, show heifer prospects, bred females and six registered Quarter horses. More sale information is available at http://www.asi.ksu.edu/p.aspx?tabid=955 or contact Ryan Breiner at 785-532-6127.
The annual Stockmen's Dinner will be at the Clarion Hotel, honoring the Mushrush Family as Stockmen of the Year. Information is available online or by calling Melissa Geisler at 785-532-7522.
EPA Advanced E15 Availability
E15 ethanol fuels took one step closer to commercial availability today. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved health effects testing on E15 fuel submitted by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and Growth Energy.
Health effects testing is a required step in the approval of any new fuel or fuel additive. With EPA's acceptance of the results of the testing submitted by the ethanol groups, suppliers of ethanol and E15 are now able to register with EPA to offer the fuel. This is not the green light for E15 sales yet, but the health effects testing is a significant milestone to have passed.
EPA concluded, "Our evaluation therefore concludes that RFA/Growth Energy has submitted data and analysis that would satisfy the Tier 1 and Tier 2 testing requirements for registration."
"EPA's action today puts E15 on the precipice of commercialization and means that consumers may be able to choose a more affordable E15 option in time for the expensive summer driving season," RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen. "Increasing America's use of homegrown ethanol will create jobs, reduce harmful tailpipe emissions, and make this nation more energy secure. This is huge step toward meaningful market expansion for domestically-produced ethanol."
The acceptance of the health effects testing clears the way for the final steps in registering E15 as a fuel and offering it in the marketplace. One step is to have ethanol and fuel companies register with EPA. The RFA expects that to begin happening as early as this afternoon.
The other step is the formulation of a misfueling mitigation plan. As the E15 waiver extends only to MY2001 and newer vehicles, and excludes a number of non-road, marine and vehicle engines, helping ensure consumers are legally and appropriately using E15 is critical. The RFA has submitted a misfueling mitigation plan to EPA that would serve as a model plan that fuel retailers must follow to be in compliance with EPA regulations. Once this plan is completed, and companies register with EPA, E15 can be sold to the EPA-approved vehicles in states and at stations that are prepared to do so.
The RFA is leading an effort to ensure state fuel regulations allow for the sale of E15 and that retailers and consumers are properly using the fuel.
Complete information on the E15 waiver, including final steps left to take, is available here.
Washington to Hear Amazing Story of American Agriculture
On March 8, 2012, the Agriculture Council of America (ACA) will host three major events in the nation's capital: a coffee event in the morning, the Mix-and-Mingle Luncheon and the National Celebration of Agriculture Dinner. This year's theme is "American Agriculture: Abundant. Affordable. AMAZING."
The events honor National Agriculture Day and mark a nationwide effort to tell the true story of American agriculture and remind citizens that agriculture is a part of all of us. A number of producers, agricultural associations, corporations, students and government organizations involved in agriculture are expected to participate.
The morning coffee event will be at the USDA Whitten Building Patio from 8-8:45 a.m. There is no cost to attend, but seating is limited. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack is the invited guest of honor.
The annual Mix-and-Mingle Luncheon will be in HC-5 in the Capitol Building, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. There is no cost to attend, but advance reservations are required. Approximately 50 student delegates from FFA, 4-H, the Consortium, Student NAMA and AFA will be in attendance, along with Outstanding Farmer of the Year honorees.
The National Celebration of Agriculture Dinner will follow at the USDA Whitten Building Patio at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased at www.agday.org.
This is the 39th anniversary of National Ag Day (March 8, 2012), which is celebrated in classrooms and communities across the country.
National Ag Day is organized by the Agriculture Council of America. ACA is a nonprofit organization composed of leaders in the agricultural, food and fiber community, dedicating its efforts to increasing the public's awareness of agriculture's role in modern society.
The National Ag Day program encourages every American to:
- Understand how food and fiber products are produced.
- Appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.
- Value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy.
- Acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food and fiber industry.
Learn more at www.agday.org.
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