News Update
November 15, 2012
International Angus Website Redesigned
Angus Productions Inc. (API) has redesigned and updated its international topic website, www.angusinternational.info. In addition to updated contact information on Angus associations around the world, the site contains links to relevant articles from the Angus Journal and Angus Beef Bulletin, along with links to veterinary and marketing advice and a list of agriculture-related events.
API maintains several topic sites in addition to the international site. Visit www.beefcowefficiency.com; www.cowbcs.info; www.countryoforiginlabeling.info; www.angusjournal.com/drought; and www.feedingandfeedstuffs.info for the latest information on coping with drought, beef cow efficiency, country-of-origin labeling, body condition scoring, and feeding and feedstuffs. For trusted, comprehensive information on Angus societies, international agriculture news and marketing strategies for Angus beef in a global market, visit www.angusinternational.info.
I Am Angus Season Premiere Broadcasts Nov. 19
America’s farms, ranches and the communities that surround them are considered by many as the country’s last, best places. They are a direct connection to the past; an essential venture for the future. The hard-working cattlemen who call these places home are committed to preserving the rural way of life and raising quality beef for consumers. Join the American Angus Association as it travels to these captivating areas in its hour-long documentary, I Am Angus.
Beginning its fourth season, I Am Angus premieres at 8 p.m. Eastern (7 p.m. Central) Monday, Nov. 19 on RFD-TV. A second broadcast is set for 10 p.m. Eastern (9 p.m. Central) Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22. Produced entirely by the Association, the upcoming episode explores the golden age of the cattle business and how ranchers continue to serve as stewards of the land.
“The I Am Angus premiere episode takes us back to historic Chicago, and how the area shaped modern agriculture as we know it,” says Eric Grant, Association public relations and communications director. “We also feature ranchers from the open spaces of South Dakota to the rolling hills of Oklahoma. It’s an entertaining look inside today’s cattle industry.”
I Am Angus focuses on the heart of the Angus cattle business — its people, their heritage and why they are involved in agriculture. The hour-long documentary series explores each corner of the beef industry, Angus heritage, and how animal agriculture meets the challenge of feeding a growing population.
For more information and the full release, click here.
Beef Cattle Workshop to Discuss
Bull Selection, Management Techniques
A Jan. 18 workshop in College Station, Texas, will teach beef cattle producers bull selection techniques and feature discussions on breeding programs, performance data, care and management.
The program, to be at the Texas A&M University Beef Center in College Station, will be led by Jason Cleere and Jason Banta, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service beef cattle specialists at College Station.
“A herd bull is responsible for 50% of the herd’s calf crop and a good bull is an investment that can certainly pay big dividends,” Cleere said.
The program will begin at 10 a.m. with Cleere discussing cattle breeds and breeding programs. He will follow with a demonstration on visual selection of bulls. After lunch, Banta will lead presentations on bull performance data and genetic markers, bull fertility and bull-to-cow ratios. He will also give a presentation on bull care and management.
“Selecting the right bull for your cattle herd takes planning and research,” Banta said. “Workshop participants will come away with a good understanding of specialized practices and management strategies that will improve their operation and overall bottom line.”
For more information and the full release, click here.
AFBF Urges House to Pass Russia PNTR
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) this week urged the House of Representatives to pass legislation granting Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with Russia. The House is scheduled to vote on Russia PNTR this week.
Russia formally joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in August. However, PNTR for Russia must be enacted by Congress in order to guarantee U.S. access to the market-opening and legal aspects that are part of the Russia-WTO agreement.
“Russia PNTR is a critical step toward ensuring the U.S. benefits from Russia’s accession to the WTO and remains competitive in that market,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “U.S. farmers will have more certain and predictable market access as a result of Russia’s commitment not to raise tariffs on any products above the negotiated rates and to apply international food safety standards in a uniform and transparent manner.”
Russia has a strong capacity for growth in food imports from the United States. U.S agricultural exports to Russia are forecast at $1.4 billion for 2012. Russia has potential for significant increases in poultry, pork and beef consumption, which are the top U.S. agricultural exports to Russia.
“With this potential for expanding meat exports, obtaining PNTR with Russia is even more important,” said Stallman. “Russia’s membership in the WTO will provide significant commercial opportunities for U.S. agriculture.”
USDA Awards First Grants to Increase Local Foods in Eligible Schools 68 Projects Support Nearly 2 Million Students
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced more than $4.5 million in grants for 68 projects, spanning 37 states and the District of Columbia, to connect school cafeterias with local agricultural producers.
“When schools buy food from nearby producers, their purchasing power helps create local jobs and economic benefits, particularly in rural agricultural communities,” Merrigan said. “Evidence also suggests that when kids understand more about where food comes from and how it is produced, they are more likely to make healthy eating choices.”
The first-ever USDA Farm to School grants will help schools respond to the growing demand for locally-sourced foods and increase market opportunities for producers and food businesses, including food processors, manufacturers and distributors. Grants will also be used to support agriculture and nutrition education efforts such as school gardens, field trips to local farms, and cooking classes.
The grants will serve more than 3,200 schools and 1.75 million students, nearly half of whom live in rural communities. Projects are diverse. Some award recipients, such as the Lawrence County District in Walnut Ridge, Ark., are using grant funds to coordinate efforts with other school districts to aggregate buying power and attract new producers to the school food service market.
For more information and the full release, click here.
AgChat Foundation’s Third Annual #foodthanks
Campaign Adds Pinterest to Social Media Lineup
Whether it’s the harvest on the family farm or dish on the dinner table you’re thankful for this holiday season, social media users from all sectors of the ag and food community can share their appreciation for food and those who provide it with the hashtag #foodthanks, a campaign started in 2010 by the AgChat Foundation. For more information, see the rest of the story on the front page of the November Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA at www.angusbeefbulletin.com/extra.
Composting Animal Mortality
Reduces Carbon Dioxide Emissions
Consumers and farmers alike are becoming more aware of climate change and the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of food, fiber, feed and biofuel crops. Commodity organizations are developing tools to help farmers determine the carbon footprint of their production practices. These tools are available online for dairy and pork producers.
Earlier this summer a farmer asked Michigan State University Extension to help design an animal-tissue compost facility to process mortality from his swine-finishing facility. His old carcass incinerator was worn out and simply too costly to continue to operate. By replacing the carcass incinerator with a mortality compost facility, he was able to reduce his carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 58% and save on fuel costs.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports each gallon of diesel fuel burned will release 22.2 pounds (lb.) of CO2 emissions. Research from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) reports that one to three gallons of diesel fuel are required to incinerate 100 lb. of animal tissue. Because the farmer did not track annual fuel use for incineration, the assumption is that he was an average user of diesel when incinerating carcasses and used two gallons of fuel per 100 lb. mortality.
For more information and the full release, click here.
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