News Update
January 3, 2013
Access Complete Angus Journal Coverage of
Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle
If you missed the Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle symposium, Dec. 3-4, 2012, in Sioux Falls, S.D., or if you want to revisit the material, then you are in luck. The Angus Journal team provided complete coverage, which is available at http://www.appliedreprostrategies.com/2012/SiouxFalls/newsroom.html.
The website offers the summary, proceedings paper, PowerPoint presentation and audio of each of the 27 speakers. Topics covered include how to profit from reproduction, importance of estrus, inseminator efficiency and male fertility, genetics, artificial insemination (AI) technique, herd fertility nutrition, management of stress, vaccination and pregnancy determination, and sexed semen and embryo transfer.
Tonight’s ‘I Am Angus’ Broadcast Features NWSS
The National Western Stock Show (NWSS) in Denver, Colo., is steeped in history. For 107 years, livestock enthusiasts have joined together at the base of the Rocky Mountains to remember the past and look toward the future. Tonight on RFD-TV, the American Angus Association honors the NWSS tradition and those involved in raising cattle during its documentary series, I Am Angus.
“To improve our breed for the future, we must always learn from the past,” says Eric Grant, Association director of communications and public relations. “That’s why we share historic stories on I Am Angus. To remember, and appreciate, where we’ve been and those who have made progress possible.”
I Am Angus airs at 10 p.m. Eastern (9 p.m. Central) today, Thursday, Jan. 3 on RFD-TV.
Tonight’s show is the fourth episode this season. Overall, 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 and how animal agriculture meets the challenge of feeding a growing population.
For more information and the full release, click here.
Farmers Receive Meager Share of Retail Food Dollar
National Farmers Union (NFU) released its latest Farmer’s Share report. The report is based on calculations derived from the monthly Agriculture Prices report produced by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), and compared to price points of common grocery food items at a local Washington, D.C., Safeway supermarket.
“It’s easy to forget the true value of our farmers and ranchers, who in some cases are only making pennies to the dollar on their goods, while we’re at our local supermarket,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “Our Farmer’s Share report reflects the true value that our farmers and ranchers are receiving.”
According to the USDA Economic Research Service, farmers and ranchers only receive 15.8¢ of every food dollar spent by consumers outside the home in the United States. Additionally, more than 80¢ of every food dollar is spent on marketing, processing, wholesaling, distribution and retailing.
For more information and the full release, click here.
Congress' Farm Bill Failure Hampers America,
Says NCGA President
National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Pam Johnson released the following statement in response to Congress’ inaction to pass a new five-year farm bill before the end of 2012:
“America’s farmers have clearly made known the importance and need of a new farm bill in 2012. Once again Congress’ failure to act pushes agriculture aside, hampering farmers’ ability to make sound business decisions for the next five years. The National Corn Growers Association is tired of the endless excuses and lack of accountability. The system is clearly broken.
“We hope the 113th Congress proves to be more fruitful and that the leaders in Congress can place petty partisanship aside to create a bill that benefits all of America.”
Register Now to Attend Jan. 15
Cattle Trails Cow-Calf Conference
Cattle producers looking to pick up the latest information about drought recovery and its potential effects on their operations should register now to attend the Jan. 15 Cattle Trails Cow-Calf Conference in Lawton, Okla.
The annual conference is a joint effort between the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, with the intent of helping producers drive their operations toward profit.
Marty New, Comanche County Extension director and agricultural educator, said profit margins can be tight in the best of times, and the last few years have been anything but the “best of times” for most cattle producers in drought-stricken areas.
“Think of the conference as one-stop shopping,” he said. “The most up-to-date information will be presented and participants will have the opportunity to ask questions of and interact with some of the region’s premier cattle-management experts, as well as other producers who are in positions similar to them.”
The Jan. 15 conference — which alternates between Oklahoma and Texas each year — will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Comanche County Fairgrounds’ Great Plains Coliseum, located at 920 S. Sheridan in Lawton, Okla.
Registration is $25 per participant and covers the cost of a noon meal, break refreshments and conference materials. Registration materials are available at all Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension county offices, listed under “county government” in most local directories.
For more information and the full release, click here.
Historic ‘Flash Drought’ of 2012 to Continue into 2013
The drought that swept across wide areas of the United States in the past year was historically unusual in its speed, its intensity and its size, climatologists at the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln said this week.
Plus, they said, those dry conditions are expected to last at least through winter: Forecasts show little hope of quick improvement, deepening the negative effects on agriculture, water supplies, food prices and wildlife.
“We usually tell people that drought is a slow-moving natural disaster, but this year was more of a flash drought,” said Mark Svoboda, a center climatologist and an author of the weekly U.S. Drought Monitor. “With the sustained, widespread heat waves during the spring and early summer coupled with the lack of rains, the impacts came on in a matter of weeks instead of over several months.”
The result, according to year-end Drought Monitor data: More than 60% of the contiguous 48 states and 50% of the entire country was in severe to extreme drought for significant portions of 2012, Svoboda said. This year marked the first occurrence in the 13-year history of the monitor that all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico experienced drought. In the past few months, it has receded slightly in the Midwest but remains entrenched in the Great Plains.
For more information and the full release, click here.
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