News Update

March 14, 2012

Radale Tiner Joins the American Angus Association

The American Angus Association welcomes Radale Tiner of Hempstead, Texas, as the new regional manager for New Mexico and Texas. As a regional manager, Tiner becomes one of the most valuable resources for a beef producer with Angus or Angus-influenced genetics.

"The whole network the Angus family has to offer is exciting," Tiner says. "There are so many opportunities with the breed, and I am looking forward to getting out there and helping producers connect and market their cattle."

Expect to see Tiner at Angus events and sales throughout the region. He is available to answer any Association or cattle questions that may arise. In addition to assisting producers, Tiner says he is excited for the chance to work with young cattle enthusiasts and be a part of their experiences.

"There is no doubt that Radale will do a fantastic job as the new regional manager for Texas and New Mexico," says Bryce Schumann, Association CEO. "We look forward to the improvements Radale will bring to the business breed, and it's a privilege to work with such a passionate and talented individual."

A native of Texas, Tiner studied general agriculture at Sam Houston State University and is a graduate of the Missouri Auction School. He has previously served as a field representative for The Brahman Journal in Hempstead, Texas, where he was responsible for advertising sales and campaign development. Tiner has also worked for Camp Cooley of Franklin, Texas, and gained experience marketing Angus, Brangus and Charolais bulls. He was a ranch manager for Fluharty Farms of Gause, Texas, as well.

Just prior to joining the Association, Tiner was an area sales manager for BioZyme/VitaFerm of Saint Joseph, Mo. During his time there, he made valuable connections in the region and across the livestock industry.

"Angus is one of the most well-known breeds in the world," Tiner says. "Angus plays a huge role in so many people's lives, and with a combination of other things, that is why I enjoy the breed so much."

Contact Tiner at rtiner@angus.org or 979-492-2663 for help locating Angus seedstock or to answer questions about Association programs and services.

— Release by the American Angus Association.

Senate Highway Bill Moves Forward with Agricultural Exemptions

Although the Highway Bill (S. 1813) has been a victim of partisan politics, according to National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) Associate Director of Legislative Affairs Kent Bacus, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) reached an agreement on the consideration of a series of amendments to the Highway Bill. Two of those amendments, which passed today, are of particular importance for farm and ranch families. Specifically, an amendment brought forth by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) will exempt drivers of farm vehicles from having to acquire a commercial driver's license. Another amendment, introduced by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), will waive hours of service restrictions during harvest seasons.

"Farmers and ranchers are not professional truck drivers and shouldn't be treated as such. Hauling livestock to market two times a year is hardly the same as hauling goods across the country on a daily basis. Subjecting family farmers and ranchers to costly requirements is an unnecessary burden we cannot afford," said Bacus. "NCBA and its members were pleased to see the U.S. Senate approve two commonsense amendments that differentiate agriculture from commercial transportation."

The amendment brought up by Sen. Klobuchar is similar to H.R. 3265, sponsored by Congressman Sam Graves (R-Mo.), which waives certain driving restrictions during planting and harvest seasons for producers who are transporting agricultural goods. Bacus said the amendment would allow farmers and ranchers to transport goods during harvest seasons when necessary instead of being subject to certain time requirements. The Farmers' Freedom Act of 2011, H.R. 2414, sponsored by Congressman James Lankford (R-Okla.) is similar to the amendment sponsored by Sen. Merkley. This legislation exempts certain farm vehicles, including the individual operating the vehicle, from certain federal requirements such as commercial driver's licenses.

According to the U.S. House of Representatives, it is not moving forward with its version of the Highway Bill. Instead, the House will take up the two-year Senate bill, sponsored by Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and James Inhofe (R-Okla.), which was debated in the Senate today. Once the Senate concludes consideration of the amendments, the bipartisan legislation will be brought up for consideration this week. The bill will then move to the House for consideration.

— Release by the NCBA.

Ninth Circuit Court Upholds Congressional Wolf Delisting

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals today affirmed the constitutionality of Congress' removal of wolves from the federal endangered species list.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) applauded the decision.

Attorneys representing RMEF and other conservation groups had presented oral arguments supporting the Congressional action, wolf delisting and science-based, state-regulated management and control of wolf populations.

"This is a huge win for real wildlife management in the U.S.," said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. "We're thrilled with the favorable ruling because it upholds the law, as well as science and common sense. This decision helps clear the way for continued work by true conservationists to balance wolf populations with other wildlife and human needs."

Allen suspects the plaintiffs will appeal their case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

He said, "I'm hopeful that a Congressional act, multiple courtroom defeats and an American public that is clearly tired of this legal wrangling will encourage our opponents to give up and cede responsible wolf management to conservation professionals in each state. But we'll have to wait and see."

RMEF continues to fight wolf lawsuits and support delisting legislation at both federal and state levels.

— Release by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

AgriLife Extension to Lead Statewide Cattle Herd
Rebuilding Education Initiative

The Texas AgriLife Extension Service is beginning a statewide educational initiative focusing on rebuilding cattle herds within the state.

"For the past two decades, we have seen a continual decline in cattle numbers within the state," said Ron Gill, AgriLife Extension livestock specialist and associate department head for animal science at Texas A&M University in College Station.

"The historic drought of 2011 dramatically accentuated that trend.
The state's cattle industry and affiliated trade and service companies are the second largest economic driver in the state, bringing in billions of dollars to the state economy. With the cow herd at such a critically low level, Texas will start to lose infrastructure if cow numbers do not increase soon."

A series of in-depth, educational programs will be hosted across the state throughout the month of April and throughout the year, Gill said. Kickoff programs are scheduled for Midland, Yoakum, Alice, Graham, Abilene and Athens. For complete schedules and online registration, visit http://agriliferegister.tamu.edu (Enter the keyword: beef).

For the full story, visit http://bit.ly/zCG2cQ.

— Adapted from release by Texas AgriLife Communications.

Consumers & Experts Agree Beef Gets Good Grades For Safety

New consumer research presented to beef safety experts gathered for the 10th Anniversary Beef Industry Safety Summit, funded in part by the beef checkoff, shows the beef industry's investment in assuring the safety of beef is paying off in increased consumer confidence. Compared to 10 years ago, consumer confidence in the safety of beef steaks and roasts has increased by 14 percentage points and confidence in the safety of ground beef has jumped 20 percentage points. According to the research, 88% of consumers give fresh beef steaks and roasts an A or B grade for safety and 80% say fresh ground beef deserves the same grade.

"Getting good grades from consumers for our work to improve beef safety is very rewarding," says J. Clay Burtum, an Oklahoma cattle rancher and member of the Beef Industry Safety Committee. "We have made tremendous strides in the past 10 years and it is good to know that is recognized by consumers. I believe we can accomplish as much in the next 10 years by continuing to find ways to work together with everyone in the beef community to make beef even safer. We want to get all As."

Beef safety experts agree that beef is safer than it was 10 years ago, but the research did uncover some important differences between consumer and expert opinions. When asked whether someone is more likely to get sick from foodborne bacteria eating at home or at a restaurant, 65% of consumers answered "at a restaurant." However, 72% of the experts attending the summit answered "at home." In fact, statistics back up the experts' opinion showing between 60% and 70% of foodborne illnesses occur at home. Similarly, 92% of experts say proper cooking and handling at home is of high importance in assuring that beef is safe to eat while just under half (49%) of consumers recognize the importance of proper procedures in the home.

"We have some work to do to engage consumers in beef safety, like using a meat thermometer to ensure that ground beef reaches a safe internal temperature of 160° Fahrenheit," says Burtrum.

The study found that 70% of consumers don't know the proper cooking temperature for ground beef.

The research found another "perception vs. reality" gap between the consumers and experts regarding whether the number of people getting sick from foodborne illness is increasing or decreasing. Nearly half of the beef safety experts say the number of foodborne illnesses is decreasing (49%) while more than one-third of consumers (38%) say the number is increasing. Although this seems a high percentage of consumers believing foodborne illness is increasing, only a few years ago (2008) nearly half (49%) of consumers felt foodborne illness was increasing. In addition, consumers now are less concerned about foodborne illness from E. coli in ground beef with a much smaller percentage (19%) saying they thought those illnesses are increasing.

In fact, it isn't beef safety consumers are concerned about. When asked which fresh food they might buy in the supermarket was their biggest safety concern, 48% of consumers answered "Fish and Seafood." Only 10% said beef was their biggest safety concern. This percentage also has shown improvement over time. When the Beef Safety Summit was initiated 10 years ago, 20% of consumers said beef was their biggest safety worry.

"The bottom-line is that beef is much safer today than it was 10 years ago and our goal is to keep improving beef safety," says Burtrum. "The main topic of discussion at the Beef Industry Safety Summit was how we can work together to continue improving beef safety in the next decade."

For more information about your beef checkoff investment in beef research, visit MyBeefCheckoff.com.

— Release by the Beef Checkoff.

— Compiled by Kasey Miller, associate editor, Angus Productions Inc.