News Update
December 27, 2012
Last Chance to Participate in ‘The $75,000 Card Challenge’
Through Dec. 31, 2012, Angus supporters can turn everyday purchases into an investment in their future. In “The $75,000 Card Challenge,” for every new and activated American Angus Association Platinum Visa booked, Intrust Bank will make a $100 donation to the Angus Foundation to help support Angus education, youth and research programs. Most people use a credit card anyway, and by simply opening a new card account and activating that card by making $100 in purchases within 30 days, Angus producers and other Angus enthusiasts are making an easy contribution to support the future of the breed.
If 300 more cards are activated through the end of this year, making a total of 500 new activated accounts, INTRUST Bank will add a $25,000 donation. This makes the program worth $75,000 for the Angus Foundation. Go to www.angusfoundation.org and click on “Angus Credit Card Application” to learn more.
ILC announces ‘Beef’s Greatest Challenge’
The International Livestock Congress (ILC)–USA 2013 will host a full day conference, Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013, at the Renaissance Denver Hotel during the 107th National Western Stock Show (NWSS).
Attendees will hear firsthand from world renowned speakers including Gary Smith, emeritus distinguished professor, Colorado State University (CSU); John Lundeen, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA); Phil Seng, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF); Russell Cross, Texas A&M University; and Daren Williams, NCBA along with distinguished panels of industry experts. Speakers will cover the latest information on environmental impacts on beef production, sustainability, knowing international customers and competitors, plus current market issues domestically and internationally. These “make or break” issues must be addressed in order to assure that the beef industry is positioned to feed the world.
ILC–USA 2013 “Beef’s Greatest Challenge” conference registration is available online at www.theisef.com. The cost of the conference is $250 per person or $125 for students before Dec. 21, 2012, and includes a continental breakfast, a buffet lunch, and grounds admission to the 2013 NWSS. Tickets to the Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013, Professional Bull Riders Touring Pro Finale are $41 and must be purchased at the time of registration. Space is limited, so register early.
Take the opportunity to attend the ILC-USA 2013 conference to learn about the challenges and opportunities that impact livestock industry operations. For more information and the full release, click here.
I Am Angus Christmas Episode Airs Tonight
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) tonight, 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.
Tips for New Year’s Resolutions that Last
- Make them measureable. Make your goals this year measureable by setting criteria for knowing whether you’ve reached your goal. Ask yourself how you will measure progress and if your goal is attainable.
- Break up larger goals into smaller ones. Have you ever made a bunch of resolutions, but been overwhelmed with trying to make changes? It’s easy to get discouraged with big goals that don’t have any payoff in the short-term, so it can help to break up a larger goal into smaller ones.
- Put your goals on a timeline. Make sure your goals are realistic and that they are something you are willing and able to work toward. Also, do you have a time frame? Push yourself forward by setting a date for smaller and larger goals.
- Reward yourself in healthy ways. Want to set a New Year’s resolution, but have trouble staying motivated to make changes? One way to stay motivated is to reward yourself when you reach “mini” goals or milestones. Avoid using rewards that are not in line with your resolution; reward yourself with something that reinforces your new habit such as a health or fitness magazine subscription or fitness equipment.
- Looking for a program to help? Finding the right ingredients for staying fit and healthy can be challenging, which foods to eat more of, which to eat less of? How much physical activity is required and what kind? Helping people find that recipe for success is the goal of a seven week, online program sponsored by University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) Extension called “Recipe for Healthier Living with Food & Fitness.” Early registration runs until Jan. 22 and space is limited, so check out class details and look for classes forming near you at http://food.unl.edu/web/fnh/food_fitness or sign up directly at go.unl.edu/healthyliving.
This year remember to make your New Year’s resolutions specific, measureable, attainable, realistic and timely.
By applying these concepts and techniques you can reduce the chances of feeling overwhelmed, anxious or losing motivation. If you are looking for a program to help you reach your goals for 2013, check out UNL Extensions’ Recipe for Healthier Living with Food and Fitness by clicking here.
Women’s Ag Conference Announcement
The 2013 Women Managing the Farm Conference is scheduled Feb. 7-8 and will be in Manhattan, Kan., at the Hilton Garden Inn.
The popular agriculture conference for women will be the eighth in a series. It began as a regional offering before becoming a multiday conference in Hutchinson, Kan., and, in recent years, in Wichita, Kan.
Moving the conference to Manhattan allows greater access to resources at Kansas State University (K-State) and K-State Research and Extension, said Janet Barrows, who, with Robin Blume, is serving as a volunteer for the educational effort.
Moving the conference also provides an opportunity for adding a preconference session, which Barrows dubbed “Blue Jean Basics” Feb. 6. The session is being planned as a less formal introductory and interactive opportunity for participants to learn from K-State crops and livestock specialists.
The conference is recommended for women who are landowners, farm or ranch managers, partners or employees, absentee landlords, or career women engaged in agricultural careers.
Women new to production agriculture — by inheritance or marriage — find the conference to be informative and reassuring, Barrows said. Plus, while geared to women, spouses and others appreciate conference topics and time to network with women moving into leadership roles in agriculture.
The 2013 edition of the conference promises a full agenda with featured speakers and more than two dozen breakout sessions considering financial risks; human risks; estate planning and legal issues; insurance; production; drought management; social advocacy; retail agriculture and, yes, even farming in the city. Jolene Brown, a champion for agriculture and consultant for family-owned businesses will blend humor with tips into two conference presentations. For more information and the full release, click here.
World Angus Forum Registrations Now Open
Registration for the PGG Wrightson World Angus Forum 2013 is now open.
The Forum is a significant international agricultural event scheduled every four years, which is being hosted in New Zealand in October 2013. It is expected up to 800 delegates from around the world will attend the Forum, which will feature a business program centered around New Zealand’s unique grass-fed systems, and leading-edge Angus breeding and genetics.
In addition, a youth program will run alongside the Forum, where youth teams from a number of countries will compete against each other in areas such as agri-sports, stock judging and general knowledge.
“Early bird registration fees apply so we’re encouraging people to get in early and secure their place,” says Tim Brittain, chairman of the Forum committee. “We’re anticipating considerable interest internationally with a diverse range of delegates attending, giving our local breeders ample opportunity to share knowledge and information with their international colleagues.”
The Forum business program will take place over a four-day period from Oct. 13-Oct. 16 at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre, with delegates also having the opportunity to visit some of the country’s top Angus studs as part of the pre- and post-Forum tours.
Full details of the Forum programme and tours are available at www.worldangus.com.
For more information please contact Tim Brittain, chairman of the Forum committee, on 0275 935 387 or email tim@storthoaks.co.nz.
For more information and the full release, click here.
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