News Update

March 9, 2012

Angus Offers Cost-Effective Identification Systems

The American Angus Association strives to give registered and commercial producers the tools they need to ensure a hassle-free calving season. Many are already using expected progeny differences (EPDs), such as calving ease and weaning weight, to determine bull selection. But the Association also offers tangible items for when those calves are born, including a variety of ear tag options and record books.

The Association's Tag Store, www.customcattletags.com, offers affordable options to purchase high-quality, custom-printed ear tags and other identification items, in less time.
"The tags are so easy to order and the prices are unbeatable," says Ginette Kurtz, AngusSource® quality manager. "This system makes identification and recordkeeping simple for you and your customers."

The online store offers Duflex® visual tags in numerous colors and sizes with free text on the front of the tag. Logos, text on the back of the tag, and/or on the tag stud can be printed for a small fee. Large visual tags cost 99¢.

Farmers and ranchers can also build numerous tags with specific data using a spreadsheet template and step-by-step directions. The document can then be uploaded online as a CSV file.

The Tag Store exclusively offers Destron Fearing™ products, including visual tags, e. Tags [radio frequency identification (RFID) tag], Combo e. Tags and "840" tags. Accessories available for purchase below retail price include applicators, readers, panel antennas, headgate kits, markers and knives.

All tags are manufactured within three to five business days and shipped directly to the producer; flat rate shipping charges apply. For more information about custom tags, visit www.customcattletags.com or call 816-383-5100.

The Beef Record Service (BRS)/AngusSource Black Books are another recordkeeping option. The pocket-sized books include a calendar, as well as space to keep management records on your cow herd, and make great promotional gifts for customers. The 2012 books are available in any quantity for $3 each. Standard orders feature the Association's logo.

If you would like information to place your farm or ranch name on the 2013 Black Books, or to obtain a free 2012 black book, contact the AngusSource department at 816-383-5100 or blackbooks@angus.org.

— Release by American Angus Association.

CAB Rewards Student Commitment with Colvin Scholarships

Seven university students from across the United States have won $21,000 through the Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) brand Colvin Scholarship. The awards recognize their commitment in both activities and scholastic achievement.

"These students are the future of the beef industry," said John Stika, Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) president. "This year's graduate-level scholarship is an exciting addition to the program, and we are happy for the opportunity to extend a helping hand for tomorrow's leaders."

2012 Undergraduate Colvin Scholarship Awards:
$5,000 — Loni Woolley, Grandview, Texas, Texas Tech University
$4,000 — Meghan Blythe, White City, Kan., Kansas State University
$3,000 — Bailey Harsh, Radnor, Ohio, Ohio State University
$2,000 — Lindsey Grimes, Hillsboro, Ohio, Ohio State University
$1,000 — Wyatt Bechtel, Eureka, Kan., Kansas State University
$1,000 — discretionary award to Faith Jurek, Lubbock, Texas, Texas Tech University

2012 Graduate Colvin Scholarship Award:
$5,000 — Rebecca Acheson, Windsor, Colo., Colorado State University

The scholarships began in 1999, when CAB co-founder and executive director Louis M. "Mick" Colvin retired. The nonprofit company and its licensed partners worldwide acted to honor Colvin's inspiration for others to be their best and make their dreams a reality.

A portion of the undergraduate selection criteria was based on an essay titled, "Describe the variety of branded beef programs in today's marketplace and how they help or hinder the consumer." Their perspectives will be shared in the May issue of the Angus Journal.

The CAB Annual Conference golf outing and auction raise these Colvin Scholarship funds. Top undergraduate and graduate recipients win all-expense-paid trips to the 2012 Annual Conference in White Sulfur Springs, W.Va., where they can interact with leaders throughout the production, packing, retail and foodservice industries.

— Adapted from release by CAB.

Meetings to Put on Your Radar

The Texas AgriLife Extension Service office in Andrews County will conduct a Warm-Season Forage Mini-Workshop beginning at 8:20 a.m. with registration and ending at noon on March 23 at the AgriLife Extension office, 851 East Broadway in Andrews.
Persons interested in learning the latest on rainwater harvesting can do so at two Texas AgriLife Extension Service programs this month in Eldorado and Brownwood. The first program is set for March 19 in the Schleicher County Civic Center in Eldorado, and the second program is scheduled March 27 at the Brown County Youth Fair Home Economics Building, in Brownwood. Both programs start at 6 p.m.
Three summertime short courses at Colorado State University (CSU) will boost the business acumen of crop and livestock producers who want to improve their operations with a better understanding of contemporary agricultural science. Beef University will be May 17-18 at the CSU Agricultural Research, Development and Education Center, Fort Collins. The Irrigated Pasture Grazing School will be May 22-24 at the CSU Agricultural Research, Development and Education Center, Fort Collins. Participants will meet four times over 16 months at CSU offices near Greeley, Burlington, Rocky Ford and Grand Junction for the "Building for the Future: Farm and Livestock Business Planning."

To see the full release that goes with any of these meetings, visit the Meeting Sites > Calendar of Upcoming Events, http://bit.ly/qzZ7JM, in the Angus Productions Inc. (API) Virtual Library at www.api-virtuallibrary.com.

Woods Smoked Meats Wins Best of Beef Award

Woods Smoked Meats all-beef summer sausage was presented with the Best of Beef award at the Missouri Association of Meat Processors' 73rd annual convention and trade show March 2-4, 2012, at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia, Mo.

Ed Woods and his wife, Regina, run Woods Smoked Meats in Bowling Green, Mo. Ed's father began the business in 1947, and Ed has since taken over the business. Woods has won more than 500 state, national and international awards, and has held a number of leadership roles throughout the meat processing industry

"When we first started, we entered competitions to learn and improve our product, and to see how our products stacked up against others," Woods said. "I got hooked on competing, and we began expanding horizons into different products and classes because we want to make all of our products the very best."

The Missouri Beef Industry Council (MBIC) sponsored the Best of Beef award, which was selected through a statewide product competition at the convention. All the entries in the cured meat show, including snack sticks, jerky, beef specialty, and summer sausage, are judged, and the Best of Beef award is selected from all the beef grand champions. All class judges select the Best of Beef award winner based on appearance, workmanship, aroma, taste.

"The Best of Beef award is a great way to recognize meat processors who are striving to produce high-quality, unique beef products," said John Kleiboeker, executive director of the MBIC. "MBIC and Missouri's cattlemen and cattlewomen are proud to support the efforts of those who turn our cattle into great-tasting beef products."

Along with the Best of Beef award, Ed and Regina Woods also received registration for two at the American Association of Meat Processors convention in Sain Paul, Minn., one beef product registration at Cured Meat Championship, and a three-night stay at the AAMP convention.

The competition — the only Missouri state contest of its kind — selected the finest example of cured and smoked specialty items from nearly 200 products entered into 20 different classes including hams, bacon, sausages, ring bologna, jerky snack sticks, smoked turkey and luncheon meats.

In addition to the Meat Products Competition, one of the highlights of this convention was the more than 60-booth trade show featuring the latest meat processing equipment, supplies and services.

— Release by AgNewsWire.

Ohio State Fair Announces Beef Department Director
and 2012 Show Changes

Ohio State Fair General Manager Virgil Strickler announced that Bill Tom of Spring Valley has been selected as the director for the Ohio State Fair Beef Department and that several changes are slated for the 2012 show.

Tom is currently employed by Cargill AgHorizons as the general manager and farm service group leader for the greater Ohio region. Tom was raised on a beef farm in southeastern Ohio and has actively shown cattle across the United States within his past career positions. A graduate of Ohio State University with an animal science degree, Tom has extensive experience in the beef industry, animal nutrition and general agriculture.

Strickler also announced that four additional heifer divisions, Lim-Flex, MaineTainer, ShorthornPlus and Percentage Simmental, will be eligible to compete in the supreme champion beef breeding female competition Saturday, Aug. 4, prior to the selection of the grand champion market animal. Along with the four new breeds, Angus, Chianina, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Limousin, Maine Anjou, Simmental and Shorthorn breeds will be eligible to compete in the beef breeding female division.

The Beef Department introduced a few market animal competition changes, as well. The arrival period for market animals will begin later this year — opening on Wed., Aug. 1, and closing promptly at 10 a.m. Thurs., Aug. 2. An auction of stalling rights under the viaduct or in the Voinovich Livestock & Trade Center will not take place for 2012. Breed champions will compete for the overall market animal champion. There will not be a purebred breed champion and reserve champion named in the show.

As in previous years, the grand and reserve grand champion market animal will be sold in the Sale of Champions Sun., Aug. 5. As a new addition for 2012, premiums for individuals placing third through fifth in the overall market animal division are as follows: third place, $1,000; fourth place, $600; and fifth place, $400.

For more information, call 1-888-OHO-EXPO or 1-614-644-FAIR. On the Web, visit www.ohiostatefair.com. The 2012 Ohio State Fair will be July 25-Aug. 5.

— Adapted from release by Julie White, Ohio Cattlemens' Association.

— Compiled by Shauna Rose Hermel, editor, Angus Productions Inc.