News Update
December 26, 2012
I Am Angus Christmas Episode Airs Dec. 27
During the holiday season, take time to celebrate America's committed farmers and ranchers. Join the American Angus Association as its documentary series, I Am Angus, introduces individuals and families dedicated to raising cattle and caring for the land.
“This Christmas, we count the Angus cow among our many blessings,” says Eric Grant, Association director of communications and public relations. “We hope this special I Am Angus episode brings to light all that cattle, and their caretakers, do for consumers worldwide.”
I Am Angus airs at 10 p.m. Eastern (9 p.m. Central) Thursday, Dec. 27, on RFD-TV. The program 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 while raising a family.
For the full release, click here.
USDA Offers Food Safety Tips
as Winter Storm Strikes Central U.S., Moves Eastward
A powerful winter storm system that has brought snow, wind and tornadoes to the central United States and the Gulf Coast is moving eastward, threatening more damage and power outages in its path. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is offering guidance to those who have been or expect to be affected by the storm on how to keep frozen and refrigerated foods at safe temperatures and how to determine if food is unsafe to eat. Power outages and flooding that often result from weather emergencies compromise the safety of stored food, and planning ahead can minimize the risk of foodborne illness.
“Keeping food at safe storage temperatures is crucial to avoiding foodborne illness, and this can be difficult without electricity,” USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Elisabeth Hagen said. “As the first winter storm of the season hits the U.S., make sure your family has appliance thermometers, coolers, and plenty of ice to keep perishable food below 40° F until power is restored to your refrigerator and freezer. As a last resort for food safety, when in doubt, throw it out.”
The publication Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency can be downloaded and printed for reference during a power outage. The FSIS YouTube video Food Safety During Power Outages also has instructions for keeping frozen and refrigerated food safe.
For more information and the full release, click here.
NCBA Statement on Animal Disease Traceability Rule
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) Chief Veterinarian Kathy Simmons issued the following statement regarding the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) final animal disease traceability (ADT) rule which was announced by Secretary Vilsack.
“NCBA has been an industry leader in working diligently with USDA APHIS to ensure cattlemen's concerns are addressed in this new animal disease traceability program. We are encouraged by today's comments from Secretary Vilsack, and we are in the process of thoroughly reviewing the rule and sharing this information with our members.
“From the Secretary's comments, NCBA is encouraged that many of the priorities of cattlemen and women have been considered in this final rule. Cattlemen and women are looking for a rule that does not come with additional costs and does not hinder the speed of commerce. Brands will be recognized when accompanied by an official brand-inspection certificate as means of official identification for cattle. The rule will also allow flexibility in tagging procedures and paperwork. Most important to cattle producers is the Secretary's announcement of separate rulemaking for beef cattle under 18 months of age.
“Raising healthy cattle is a top priority for cattlemen. NCBA remains supportive of an animal disease traceability program for cattle health purposes. We commend APHIS for its efforts to listen to concerns of America's cattlemen in developing this traceability program. NCBA encourages the agency to continue working with industry leaders on this and all animal health issues.”
K-State to Host Agriculture Lease
Workshops in Seven Locations
To help ensure that landlords and tenants understand the complexities in agricultural leases, Kansas State University (K-State) is hosting seven workshops to address the issues.
The day-long workshops are designed to help landlords and tenants understand different rental arrangements, including cash rent, share rent and the recently popular flex-rent arrangements in which rental rates can “flex” depending on prices, yields or both. Dates, locations and contact information for each location include:
- Jan. 10: Rush Center - Jared Petersilie, 785-222-2710 or jaredp11@ksu.edu.
- Jan. 10: Dighton - Jared Petersilie, 785-222-2710 or jaredp11@ksu.edu.
- Jan 15: Wichita - Gary Cramer, 316-660-0100 or gcramer@ksu.edu.
- Jan. 16: Junction City - Chuck Otte, 785-238-4161 or cotte@ksu.edu.
- Jan. 17: Hutchinson - Cody Barilla, 620-662-2371 or cbarilla@ksu.edu.
- Jan. 22: Scott City - John Beckman, 620-872-2930 or jbeckman@ksu.edu, or Allen Baker, 620-375-2724 or jbeckman@ksu.edu.
- Jan. 23: WaKeeney - Julie Niehage, 785-671-3245 or julienie@ksu.edu.
The program includes several presentations by K-State Research and Extension agricultural economists, Troy Dumler and Mykel Taylor. Lunch is included in the registration.
More information, including downloadable brochures with details for each site, is available at AgManager and by clicking on 2012-2013 Lease Workshops or contact Rich Llewelyn at 785-532-1504 or rvl@ksu.edu.
For more information and the full release, click here.
Canadian Angus Association Seeks Interns
The Canadian Angus Association (CAA) will be offering two summer internships, one in Alberta and the other in Saskatchewan, focusing primarily on marketing the female beef project to existing 4-H members, promoting the 4-H beef project, increasing the number of junior Angus members, general industry promotion and exposure to the CAA office services. These full-time, 16-week summer positions are available starting late-April 2013.
Each CAA internship is for college, university and technical students interested in the opportunity to interact with juniors and promote Angus cattle to both youth and breeders alike. The internship will provide training and experience in association work. It is preferred that applicants be majoring in agriculture and be detail-oriented and outgoing, have the ability to work with all types of people and be self-starters. Seedstock background is preferred but not required.
Interested students should send their résumé and cover letter to Cassie Dorran, CAA Director of Marketing.
The internship time period will be approximately late April/early May through mid/late August, depending on the student's academic schedule.
There will be significant travel involved during the weekdays and on numerous weekends. Interns will be involved in brainstorming and executing ways to get youth involved in Angus activities and programs. Also, interns will serve as a voice for the association's Canadian Angus Rancher Endorsed program especially as it involves the producer level.
Submit a résumé and cover letter by email with the subject line reading “CAA Internship Application” to cdorran@cdnangus.ca no later than Jan. 5, 2013.
For more information and the full release, click here.
Beef Cattle Seminar Scheduled for Jan. 8
Higher commodity prices, weather extremes, and increasing input costs challenged beef producers in 2012.
“Drought-induced struggles and high feed costs are the two big hurdles for producers to overcome, but if they can maintain the cow herd they are likely to see higher profits in the years to come,” said Travis Meteer, a University of Illinois (U of I) beef extension educator.
On Jan. 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., producers will have the opportunity to attend a meeting on “Overcoming the Challenges of 2012.” The meeting will be at Sauk Valley Community College outside of Dixon, Ill. It will feature a diverse set of topics, including cow feeding strategies, sire selection, feedlot management, pasture care, and herd health tips.
Meteer will discuss low-cost feeding for the cow herd. Local veterinarian Buzz Illiff from the Wyoming Veterinary Clinic will speak about herd health protocols and calving season tips. Sean Montgomery, consulting nutritionist for Dekalb Feeds, will speak about technologies for improving feed efficiency in the feedlot.
Jerry Cassady, regional field representative for the American Angus Association, will discuss new sire-selection tools, and Jim Morrison, retired U of I Extension specialist, will discuss managing and revitalizing drought-stressed pastures.
“The program covers important information that can help producers make profit-driven decisions in 2013,” Meteer said.
Meteer urges producers to join fellow cattlemen in Dixon and equip themselves with the knowledge and management strategies to increase profits.
Preregistration is suggested. The cost is $15, payable at the door.
Please RSVP to U of I Extension by calling 815-835-2070 or email wmeteer2@illinois.edu by Jan. 3. Meeting details are available at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/oardc.
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