News Update
February 24, 2012
Angus Deadlines Approaching:
Angus "Women Connected" Conference Offered
Women seeking to become more involved in the beef and agriculture industry should consider attending an American Angus Auxiliary conference "Women Connected," scheduled for April 14-16 in Saint Joseph, Mo.
"The conference is about empowering, educating and enlightening women involved in the Angus industry," says Anne Lampe, president of the American Angus Auxiliary. "Whether the women are full-time ranchers, parents of junior Angus members, agriculture industry professionals or work in an outside field, the common bond for all of us is Angus."
All those interested in attending are encouraged to apply online by visiting www.angusauxiliary.com. Applications are due March 1, and the conference is limited to 20 women.
Beef Leaders Institute
American Angus Association members interested in becoming more effective leaders in the agriculture industry are encouraged to apply for the fifth annual Beef Leaders Institute (BLI). Scheduled for June 17-20, 2012, the program brings Angus producers together in Saint Joseph, Mo., for a series of informative sessions.
"BLI is an excellent opportunity to develop leaders and advocates for the beef industry, while exposing young producers to all segments of the business, including the Association," says Shelia Stannard, director of activities and events. "It is also a chance to network with fellow breeders from across the country."
Funded through the Angus Foundation, BLI is designed for Association members 25-45 years old to provide insight into the beef industry, while enhancing their knowledge of the Association and strengthening leadership skills.
During the three-day event, BLI participants are able to tour a beef harvesting and packing facility, retailer, fabricator, feedlots and other industry segments, including the Association. The Association provides transportation, lodging, meals and materials during the BLI. Attendees will be responsible for round-trip transportation between their home and either Kansas City or Saint Joseph, Mo.
To apply, click here or contact the American Angus Association at 816-383-5100. Information can also be found on www.angus.org. Applications for the 2012 program are due March 1.
NJAA Advisor of the Year
In 1980, the idea of recognizing the tremendous contributions of junior Angus association advisors was conceived, and during the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) of the following year, the Advisor of the Year Award was introduced. To nominate someone for this award click here for the nomination form or contact the Junior Activities Department. Applications are due March 1.
NJAA Honorary Angus Foundation
In 1985, the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) initiated the Honorary Angus Foundation to recognize and show appreciation to those who have shown extraordinary interest and support for young members of the American Angus Association. In 1985, the NJAA board of directors honored seven Angus breeders as the first inductees of the Honorary Angus Foundation. In subsequent years, a maximum of three inductees will be honored annually. Any member of the American Angus Association is eligible to nominate individuals or organizations for the Honorary Angus Foundation. Application forms for nominations to the Honorary Angus Foundation are available by clicking here (nomination form) or from the Junior Activities Department, and are due March 1.
AgriLife Extension Profitability Workshop Set March 20 in Lubbock
Comparing possible profits from South Plains crops for the 2012 season will be the focus of a Texas AgriLife Extension Service workshop set for 9 a.m.-3 p.m. March 20 at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 1102 East Farm-to-Market 1294, Lubbock.
"Each year, we offer producers the tools, data and skills they'll need to find the potential profitability of alternative crops here on the South Plains," said Jackie Smith, AgriLife Extension economist at Lubbock.
He said only one workshop will be offered this year, and he urges producers to take advantage of it. The workshop will offer a printed proceedings, crop budgets, a CD of Excel crop budgets, breakeven tables, reference files and Internet links to participants.
"Workshop attendees will essentially be getting instruction on everything they'll need to make sound crop decisions before the tractor ever enters the field," Smith said.
"We have designed the support material so producers can easily use the spreadsheet on their own computers," he said. "The Excel spreadsheet will also let users examine the impact of different crop-share rental or cash-lease arrangements on the landlord's and renter's net income."
Other topics will include input price trends and projections for 2012 along with basis, cash contracts and forward pricing using futures and options.
The workshop is funded through a grant from the Texas State Cotton Support Committee. Smith said the grant enables the workshop team to develop a crop-budget projection tool, conduct the training workshop, keep updated data and make the information readily available to producers.
"Producers can use their spreadsheet to fine-tune their own cost analysis to make accurate comparisons of the dollar potential of cotton, grain-sorghum, corn, peanuts and other crops," he said. "In all, there are four cotton budgets and 23 for other crops that can quickly be evaluated with expected input costs and projected crop prices."
Smith said participants will also be introduced to the iPhone/iPad app the team developed for producers to use in the field.
AgriLife Extension risk management specialists Jay Yates and Jeff Pate of Lubbock will assist Smith with the workshops.
Individual registration is $20 by check at the door. The fee includes lunch and refreshments.
To RSVP or for more information call Smith or Viki Bartlett at 806-746-6101.
TAHC Accepting Comments on Two New Rule Proposals
The Texas Animal Health Commission (Commission) is currently accepting public comments on rule proposals that were authorized during the January 24 Commission meeting.
The Commission proposed amendments to Chapter 51, entitled "Entry Requirements." The purpose of the proposed amendments are to make Texas' entry requirements more consistent with current national interstate movement standards.
The Commission is specifically amending Section 51.3 entitled "Exceptions," to clarify and modify interstate entry requirements for sheep, goats and swine. The first amendment will waive the prior requirement for an entry permit and certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) for swine consigned directly to slaughter, or consigned to a specifically approved livestock market from their farm of origin.
The proposed changes to Section 51.3 would also no longer require an entry permit for sheep and goats consigned from USDA sanctioned "Consistent States," which means they have an active scrapie surveillance and control program.
The Commission is also removing a requirement related to Vesicular stomatitis (VS) in Section 51.7. Currently, when VS has been diagnosed in another state, the veterinarian issuing the CVI must write on it that any equine, bovine, porcine, caprine, ovine or cervidae entering Texas from that state have not been exposed to the disease. The Commission has determined that other state's quarantine and movement restriction safeguards are adequate to ensure exposed animals are not moving, without requiring the written statement. The Texas requirement prohibiting entry of certain livestock from a premises or area under quarantine for vesicular stomatitis will be left in place to protect Texas livestock.
In Section 51.14, the Commission is removing the requirement that swine imported into Texas for feeding, breeding or exhibition purposes must be accompanied by a CVI certifying that swine have not been exposed to hog cholera, which is now called Classical Swine Fever (CSF). CSF has been eradicated from the United States for several years so this requirement is no longer necessary.
The previous rule proposals have a comment period of 30 days. They may be commented on until 5 p.m. March 18, 2012. A detailed description of the proposed rules can be found on the TAHC website at www.tahc.state.tx.us under Rule Proposals (www.tahc.state.tx.us/regs/proposals.html).
The Commission also proposed amendments to Chapter 35, entitled "Brucellosis." The Commission is proposing to remove the brucellosis test requirement for change of ownership of adult sexually intact cattle, and to add a requirement that cattle be permanently and officially identified when there is a change of ownership.
On August 1, 2011, the Commission ceased to enforce the requirement for a brucellosis test at change of ownership due to a lack of funds to supplement the cost of testing at livestock markets. The agency is therefore proposing to amend the rule to officially end the test requirement. Historically, cattle that were tested for brucellosis had permanent official identification (such as ear tags) applied at the same time. This practice was a significant asset to the agency's ability to successfully track or trace cattle as needed for all disease programs, not just brucellosis. The identification capability was also lost at the time that testing requirements ceased. The Commission is now proposing to require that all cattle that are parturient or post parturient, or 18 months of age and older, except steers and spayed heifers, changing ownership within Texas shall be officially identified with Commission approved permanent identification.
This particular rule has a comment period of 60 days. It may be commented on until 5 p.m. April 17, 2012. A detailed description of the proposed rule can be found on the TAHC web site at www.tahc.state.tx.us under Rule Proposals www.tahc.state.tx.us/regs/proposals.html).
Comments on the TAHC's proposed regulations must be submitted in writing to Carol Pivonka, Texas Animal Health Commission, 2105 Kramer Ln., Austin, Texas 78758, by fax at 512-719-0721 or by e-mail to comments@tahc.state.tx.us.
The Commission appreciates any comments on issues addressed in this document for consideration during drafting of the rule.
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