News Update
March 8, 2013
Make Note of 2013 NJAS Deadlines
The National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) is the highlight of the year for many involved in the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA). This year, the event is being hosted in Kansas City, Mo. “Aberdeen in Twenty-Thirteen” will take place July 5-11 at the American Royal Complex. That’s about a week earlier than last year’s NJAS. Pay special attention to deadlines, which have been moved forward on the calendar, to make sure documents are completed in a timely manner.
Wednesday, May 15
- Ownership and entry deadline for the 2013 NJAS. Requirements and rules can be found online. Information on the NJAS showmanship contest is posted, as well.
- NJAA writing, photography, creative writing and graphic design entries due.
- Entry and recipe deadline for the American Angus Auxiliary-sponsored All-American Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) Cook-Off.
Saturday, May 25
- Deadline to submit NJAA career development contest résumés and public speaking contest speech outlines. Complete contest information is also available online.
Saturday, June 1
- NJAA Board applications due.
Visit the NJAA website for more information and deadlines. Please note there are no exceptions to any of the ownership and entry deadlines. For more information call the Association at 816-383-5100.
Angus Mobile Tops 10,000 Downloads
It’s bull sale season in cattle country. And that means herd records, expected progeny differences (EPDs) and other performance measures are in high demand. Producers looking for that perfect herd sire need information to select an animal that best fits their needs.
Now it is easier than ever before to access data on registered Angus cattle. All it takes is a touch of a button — no matter where a potential buyer is located. Angus Mobile, the official smartphone application of the American Angus Association, offers breeders an instant connection to the nation’s largest, most accurate genetic database.
“If a buyer is in the pasture or sale barn, they can use Angus Mobile to pull up all the background information from as many generations as they need,” says Chris Stallo, assistant director of information systems for the Association.
Using Angus Mobile, bull customers can enter an animal’s registration number or name and find all recorded pedigrees, EPDs, ownership records and the most current percentile rankings. The user-friendly application presents the records so they can be navigated within seconds.
“When someone is in the pen deciding on a set of bulls, the chance to browse this type of added information is extremely valuable,” Stallo says.
To date, more than 10,700 users have downloaded Angus Mobile. As more and more producers realize its value, Stallo expects that number to continue to rise: “Angus Mobile is the most convenient way to stay up-to-date with Angus news and with your herd’s recordkeeping; plus, it’s free.”
In addition to animal search, Angus Mobile is an effective herd management tool. By using the “My Herd” feature, Angus breeders can access their AAA Login account to update herd inventory, record calves as soon as they are born and manage other Association tasks. App users can also browse National Cattle Evaluation (NCE) weekly updates. The NCE hosts the most up-to-date genetic prediction for animals registered with the Association, and allows producers to better evaluate selection objectives and progress in their herd.
Angus Mobile also offers links to Beef Improvement Records and Angus Herd Improvement Records (AHIR®), plus tools such as the gestation calculator and tables to tabulate the date when a calf is due, which is based on a 283-day pregnancy.
To download the Angus Mobile app, visit the iTunes Store or App Store when using an iPhone, iPod or iPad. A quick search for Angus results in the application link. Click on install, and the icon will appear on the device’s screen or desktop.
The Angus Mobile app is compatible with the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (third generation and fourth generation), and iPad. It requires iOS 5.0 or later, which can also be downloaded through iTunes and installed by connecting the iPhone to a computer.
For Android devices, visit Google Play or the Amazon App Store and search for Angus and the application should appear. Download on a smartphone, and it is ready to operate.
To ensure the best possible experience, Angus Mobile users are encouraged to update the application whenever new versions are released.
Adequate Land Ranks as Top Concern of Young Farmers
Securing adequate land to grow crops and raise livestock was the top challenge identified in the latest survey of participants in the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) program. That challenge was identified by 20% of respondents, followed by burdensome government regulations and “red tape,” which was identified by 15% of the young farmers and ranchers responding.
“Access to adequate land to begin farming or expand an established operation is a major concern for today’s young farmers,” said Zach Hunnicutt, AFBF’s national YF&R Committee chair and a crop farmer from Nebraska. “Another major challenge we all face in one form or another is the cost of complying with a maze of government regulations.”
Other issues ranked as top concerns included economic challenges, particularly profitability, 12%; water availability, 10%; taxes, 9%; health care availability and cost, 9%; availability of farm labor and related regulations, 8%; and willingness of parents to turn over the reins of the farm or ranch, 7%.
When asked to name the top three steps the federal government should take to help young farmers and ranchers, cutting government spending was the top response, with 24% listing this as most important. Twelve percent of those surveyed said maintaining the farm safety net was most important, while financial assistance for beginning farmers and tax reform were each cited by 11% as the priority that should be first on the list.
The 21st annual YF&R survey revealed that 90% of those surveyed are more optimistic about farming and ranching than they were five years ago. Last year, 94% of those surveyed said they were more optimistic about farming than they were five years ago.
The 2013 survey also shows 83% of the nation’s young farmers and ranchers say they are better off than they were five years ago. Last year, 94% reported being better off.
More than 94% considered themselves lifetime farmers, while 90% would like to see their children follow in their footsteps. The informal survey reveals that 84% believe their children will be able to follow in their footsteps.
For more information and the full release, click here.
NCBA Kicks off March Membership Madness Drive
In an effort to add strength in numbers, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Top Hand Club is hosting its March Membership Madness drive during the month of March.
Initiated in 1982, the Top Hand Club is NCBA’s member-recruit-a-member program that recognizes volunteer leaders for their commitment in growing a strong national association. To become a Top Hand Club member, individuals must recruit at least three new NCBA members. To remain in the club, members must recruit two new members each subsequent year. The program is sponsored by Case IH and Roper/Stetson.
NCBA President Scott George, a dairy and beef producer from Cody, Wyo., said it’s important for NCBA members to urge cattle producers to join the organization, which is producer-owned and member-driven.
“Now more than ever, the livestock industry is under fire from groups such as radical animal rights activists who are working to undermine advances in animal agriculture as they push their extremist agendas, and cattle producers continue to face government uncertainty and overreaching federal regulations” he said. “Even though we already have a strong membership base, we can become even stronger and continue to fight for the sustainability and longevity of the beef industry.”
For more information and the full release, click here.
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