News Update

May 22, 2012

Smuggled Horses in West Texas Found to be Diseased

U.S. Border Patrol agents recently seized 10 adult horses and four yearlings as they attempted to enter Texas illegally by walking across the Rio Grande River near Indian Hot Springs, in southern Hudspeth County, south of El Paso. The animals were turned over to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Service (VS) officials, who tested the horses in Presidio, Texas, for a number of disease conditions that are considered foreign to the United States.

All 10 of the adult animals tested positive for equine piroplasmosis (EP). EP is routinely found in Mexico and numerous other countries around the world, but is not considered to be endemic to the United States. The blood-borne protozoal disease can be fatal to horses and could create major constraints to interstate and international movements if left undetected. EP does not affect humans.

According to Grant Wease, field veterinarian for USDA APHIS VS in El Paso, the illegal movement of animals is an ongoing concern in the vast open spaces of West Texas. "In some places, the Rio Grande poses no barrier at all to foot traffic for man or animal," he said.

According to the latest USDA information, Wease indicated that "In 2011, approximately 280 head of cattle and 160 head of equine (primarily horses) were intercepted by USDA officials along the Rio Grande." To further complicate the situation, many of the normal import processes for livestock entering Texas have been impacted by border violence, making the attempt to smuggle animals into the state even more tempting.

The investigation by USDA and the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) is ongoing to determine not only the source of the horses, but the possible destination, as well. The TAHC recently passed EP rules requiring testing of racehorses prior to entry into a Texas track, and numerous other states have done the same because of recent cases found in that population of horses.

"Racing Quarter Horses with some connection to Mexico appear to be at highest risk of testing positive to the emerging disease," said Dee Ellis, state veterinarian and TAHC executive director. Although the interdicted horses were described as Thoroughbreds, they were considered to be more likely breeding-type animals rather than race-ready horses.

Ellis went on to state, "This situation highlights the ongoing border security problems Texas is facing, which leads to an increased risk of disease introduction for the Texas livestock population when animals enter our state illegally. I encourage all citizens that witness unusual activity regarding livestock movement near the Mexican border to contact their local law enforcement or animal health officials as quickly as possible to report the situation."

The TAHC strives to provide quality customer service to the citizens of Texas and works with its USDA partners daily to protect Texas livestock and poultry from foreign animal diseases. With limited state and federal resources, however, the two agencies must continually review ongoing surveillance efforts along the border to ensure their actions are as effective as possible.

For more information contact the TAHC at 1-800-550-8242 or visit www.tahc.state.tx.us.

—Release by Texas Animal Health Commission.

K-State Plans Spring Wheat Tour May 31 at Tribune

Kansas State University (K-State) Southwest Research Extension Center at Tribune will host its Spring Wheat Tour May 31 at the center, located at 1474 Kansas Highway 96 (1 mile west of Tribune). The tour begins at 8 a.m. MDT. Topics and K-State speakers will include: wheat varieties — agronomist Jim Shroyer, wheat diseases — plant pathologist Erick DeWolf, and wheat breeding program — wheat breeder, Guorong Zhang.

More information is available by calling the center at 620-376-4761.

— Release by Kansas State University Research and Extension News.

Windett joins Hoop Beef Systems LLC

Jeff Windett, of Columbia, Mo., has joined Hoop Beef Systems LLC. Windett joins a team of professional consultants working with customers to expand cattle feeding opportunities in the Midwest by minimizing feed costs, environmental impact and improving marketing opportunities.

"Experience in all segments of the industry is what Jeff brings to the team," said Brent Bryant, Hoop Beef Systems managing director. "We are very pleased to have Jeff join the team to expand our marketing opportunities."

Windett's primary responsibilities are to expand the sales team of Hoop Beef and to provide consultation to customers in the HBS Premium Advantage Program® for cattle procurement, health, nutrition, risk management and marketing.

Windett started with Hoop Beef Systems May 14 and will be responsible for the lower Midwestern states.

Windett previously worked for Wilson Foods, the American Angus Association, the Iowa Beef Improvement Association and Circle A Angus Ranch. He most recently served as the executive vice president of the Missouri Cattlemen's Association.

— Release by Hoop Beef Systems LLC.

Registration Open for 2012 Cattle Industry Summer Conference

J.D. Alexander, National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) president, said cattlemen and women need to register today to attend the 2012 Cattle Industry Summer Conference to secure a spot at what he said will be an action-packed conference. Alexander said the conference, which will be July 25-28, 2012, in Denver, Colo., will give cattle farmers and ranchers an opportunity to engage in NCBA's grassroots policy process while also networking with and learning from other cattlemen and women from across the country.

"With challenges of overreaching regulations coming from the Beltway threatening our ability to raise cattle, coupled with obstacles from Mother Nature and more, it is critical for all NCBA members to take an active role in shaping the future of our industry and our organization," Alexander said. "I've said it before, but if you don't have a seat at the table, you're probably on the menu. The 2012 Cattle Industry Summer Conference will give cattlemen and women the opportunity to take their seat at the table."

Registration is available online. Alexander said summer conference is a critical step in NCBA's grassroots policy process. He said resolutions being discussed today during county and state cattlemen's meetings will be brought forward and voted on during summer conference.
"NCBA is the trusted leader and definitive voice serving the beef industry, but in order to continue being successful and for our policy process to work, we need every member to be engaged," Alexander said. "If you want a seat at the table in shaping the future of this industry, Denver is the place to be this July."

For more information, call the NCBA convention and meetings department at 303-694-0305 or email meetings@beef.org.

—Release by National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

Collegiate FFA Seeks Ambassadors for Agriculture;
College Students will Serve as Industry Advocates

Collegiate FFA, a program of the National FFA Organization, is now accepting applications for its National Collegiate Agricultural Ambassador program. Twenty selected students will serve during the 2012-2013 school year.

During their term, ambassadors will deliver presentations to elementary, junior high and high school classes, community organizations and other groups interested in learning about the industry of agriculture. The presentations will focus on food safety and security, sound science and sustainable agriculture, as well as other current agricultural topics. Ambassadors will earn scholarship money during their year of service.

College students ranging from sophomores to graduate students who have the desire to promote agriculture may apply to be an ambassador. The application deadline is June 1, 2012. Visit www.FFA.org/collegiate for more information.

The National Collegiate Agricultural Ambassadors program is sponsored by BASF, Syngenta, CSX Transportation and the National Pork Board as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.

The National FFA Organization provides agricultural education to 540,379 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to one of 7,489 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

For the full release, visit www.ffa.org/Programs/Outreach/AgAmbassadors/Pages/
default.aspx.

— Release by the National FFA Organization.

— Compiled by Kelli Fulkerson, intern, Angus Productions Inc.