News Update
June 14, 2012
NCFC Opposes Farm Bill Amendments
That Would Weaken Crop Insurance
The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) today strongly opposed two amendments to the Farm Bill that would weaken the crop insurance program and deprive producers of access to important risk management tools.
In a letter to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and the panel's ranking Republican, Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), NCFC outlined how two amendments in particular — SA 2168, sponsored by Senators Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), and SA 2156, introduced by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) — would hamper the ability of producers to offset the risk inherent in production agriculture.
The Coburn-Durbin amendment would impose a means test and limit crop insurance protection based on the results. This amendment fails to recognize that weather disasters can happen anywhere and everywhere — and affect all producers, regardless of size. The Gillibrand amendment proposes additional crop insurance funding cuts, which would result in reduced service to farmers and ranchers. Both of these amendments would limit the reach and effectiveness of crop insurance.
For more information and the full release, http://www.ncfc.org/2012/ncfc-opposes-farm-bill-amendments-that-would-weaken-crop-insurance.
Researchers Review Animal Welfare in June 13 Web Chat
On June 13, 2012, animal scientists Don Lay and Karen Schwartzkopf-Genswein, in conjunction with the American Society for Animal Science (ASAS), hosted a web chat to discuss the latest research in animal welfare. The talk, entitled "Global Perspectives on Animal Welfare," showcased articles that will appear in the July edition of Animal Frontiers, a publication of ASAS.
The web chat covered many controversial issues associated with animal welfare such as the role of genetics in animal welfare, consumer preferences associated with animal welfare, how animal welfare is handled across international borders, management of pain in animals, management of animal welfare during disease outbreaks, religious slaughter and the increasingly controversial horse slaughter.
Animal welfare has become an important issue to both agriculturalists and consumers. Lay and Schwartzkopf-Genswein discussed the questions that welfare scientists grapple with each day: How is animal welfare assessed and what makes an animal happy? It is important, they say, to use multiple measures to assess welfare and to focus on measuring welfare in both a positive and negative light.
For more information and the full release, visit http://www.asas.org/takingstock/?p=384.
Growers Should Begin Scouting for
Potato Leafhopper in Alfalfa Earlier This Year
The near-record warm winter Ohio experienced this year has not only caused alfalfa to an earlier first cutting than usual, it's also caused some insects to appear earlier than normal. One example is the potato leafhopper, which has already been reported in alfalfa fields by some growers across the state, an Ohio State University Extension entomologist said.
As a result, growers should begin scouting for the leafhopper when alfalfa regrowth reaches sufficient height for sweep-net sampling, said Ron Hammond, who also has an appointment with the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center.
The problem is that the potato leafhopper, which migrates to northern states from Gulf Coast states, can cause significant loss to alfalfa growers, he said.
"We're already getting reports of fields having to be to be treated for potato leafhoppers, causing growers a significant economic impact," Hammond said. "These pests can result in stunted alfalfa plants or yellow plants, which is caused by leafhopper burn.
"That results in the yellowing of the leaves and could cause significant yield loss and impact the plant's nutritional value."
The insects are being seen earlier in Ohio this year because of the warm winter and early spring experienced in the region during the past several months, which has resulted in alfalfa maturing at least two weeks earlier this year, he said.
For more information and the full release, visit http://ohioline.osu.edu/
ent-fact/pdf/0033.pdf.
Best-of I Am Angus Episode Airs June 18
The popular I Am Angus television series, produced by the American Angus Association, will air a special, best-of episode at 8 p.m. Eastern (7 p.m. Central) Monday, June 18, on RFD-TV. Join Angus ranchers and supporters from throughout the nation as I Am Angus shares the rich history of the breed and the challenges and opportunities facing the cattle business today.
"We have covered a variety of industry topics this season in I Am Angus," says Eric Grant, Association director of communications and public relations. "The best-of episode will highlight several of our favorites, including interviews from scientists, historians and — most importantly — our ranchers."
For the full release, visit http://www.angus.org/pub/newsroom/releases/
061312_IAmAngusAirsJune18.aspx?utm_source=NewsFeed&utm_
medium=email&utm_campaign=061312IAmAngusAirsJune18.
Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Recognizes Retail Value Steer Challenge Winners and Scholarship Recipients
The annual Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Retail Value Steer Challenge (RVSC) winners and scholarship recipients were honored at the Foundation luncheon June 8 during the Nebraska Cattlemen (NC) Midyear meeting in Atkinson.
The RVSC is the primary fundraiser for NC Foundation with money raised supporting youth and adult educational programs, scholarships, research and infrastructure projects, history preservation and judging teams at colleges in Nebraska.
Three winners of each of the three categories were awarded for their steer's performance in the 13th annual Retail Value Steer Challenge. First place in the average daily gain category was awarded to Jim Lee Ranch, Valentine and First National Bank of North Platte; second went to George Cooksley, Anselmo and Jim Ramm, Atkinson; and third place was awarded to the Ogallala Nebraska Cattlemen Affiliate. The Minert/Simonson Angus Ranch, Dunning, won the carcass value category with TC Ranch, Franklin, receiving second and Hi Gain Feedlot, Cozad, receiving third. The overall winners were Pandorf Land & Cattle, Callaway, and McLean Beef, Benedict, in first place. Second place went to Pony Express Chevrolet, Gothenburg; and third went to a steer donated by W&J Carpenter Trucking, Gothenburg.
For more information and the full release, visit http://www.nebraskacattlemen.org/default.php?id=342.
Peru Opens Market to Canada Beef
Peru has reopened its market to Canadian beef, according to Canada's Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and International Trade Minister Ed Fast.
Peru has agreed to allow imports of Canadian bone-in beef under age 30 months, boneless beef of all ages and offal. This marks the first time since 2003 that Canadian beef can be exported to Peru. The country closed its markets to Canadian beef due to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). The Peruvian beef market is worth an estimated $2 million annually to Canadian producers, according to Canada Beef Inc.
"Today's announcement is great news for Canada's world-class beef exporters and their families," Minister Fast said. "Canada welcomes Peru's decision. Since our free trade agreement with Peru came into force in 2009, our bilateral trade has increased by more than 50%, and today's announcement is clear proof of how deeper trade benefits Canadian workers and businesses."
The Canadian government continues to work on restoring access for bone-in beef over 30 months of age, which is the only remaining Canadian beef access issue with Peru. Canada and Peru have had a free trade agreement (FTA) since 2009. The FTA is providing Canadian beef producers with a competitive advantage in Peru by immediately eliminating tariffs on Canadian beef offal and on selected Canadian boneless beef cuts, the government said.
For more information and the full release, visit http://www.meatpoultry.com/News/News%20Home/Global/2012/6/
Peru%20opens%20market%20to%20Canada%20beef.aspx?cck=1.
Editor’s Note: The articles used within this site represent a mixture of copyrights. If you would like to reprint or repost an article, you must first request permission of Angus Productions Inc. (API) by contacting the editor at 816-383-5200; 3201 Frederick Ave., Saint Joseph, MO 64506. API claims copyright to this web site as presented. We welcome educational venues and cattlemen to link to this site as a service to their audience.