News Update
March 21, 2013
2013 BIF Symposium Is June 12-15 in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma State University (OSU), in collaboration with the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF), will host the 45th Annual BIF Research Symposium and Meeting June 12-15, 2013, at the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center in Oklahoma City.
Themed “Where Profit and Progress Intersect,” this year’s program will bring together industry professionals, producers and researchers to discuss current issues facing the beef industry. Among those issues, speakers will tackle the crossbreeding vs. straightbreeding debate, as well as using genetic tools to address environmental challenges and cow herd efficiency.
The schedule boasts an array of speakers, socials and tours that promise to be exciting and informative. Special features include an Oklahoma Welcome Reception Wednesday evening, June 12, and a night out at the National Western Heritage Museum and Cowboy Hall of Fame Thursday, June 13.
Participants can choose to tour northern or southern Oklahoma Saturday, June 15. The northern tour will feature the Oklahoma State Food & Agriculture Products Center and Oklahoma State Willard Sparks Beef Research Center, both at Stillwater; M&M Charolais, Perry; Pollard Angus, Enid; and Chain Ranch, Canton. The southern tour will visit the historic Oklahoma City Stockyards; Raber’s Saddlery, Colgate; the Noble Foundation, Ardmore; and Stuart Ranch, Waurika.
A complete schedule and links to online registration are available at www.BIFconference.com, the Angus Journal’s online coverage site for the event.
“We are anticipating a large turnout and hope that all of you will be there to experience the rich history and spirit of Oklahoma beef production,” says Megan Rolf, assistant professor of animal science at OSU and one of the symposium organizers.
Early registration is $250 and ends April 15, after which time registrations will still be accepted at a higher price. Click here for online registration.
Hotel rooms at the headquarters can be reserved in the BIF block at a reduced rate by contacting the hotel directly at 405-228-8000 or clicking here. Additional rooms at the same rate are available at the Courtyard Marriott by calling 405-232-2290, again asking for the BIF room rate.
For more information about the event, contact Rolf at 201h Animal Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078; 405-744-9292; mrolf@okstate.edu; or Joe Cassady, BIF executive director at North Carolina State University, Campus Box 7621, Raleigh, NC 27695; or jpcassad@gmail.com.
‘What’s the Beef?’ Program March 26 in San Antonio to Provide Choice Information
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Earl Abel’s Restaurant will present a Backyard Basics program “What’s the Beef?” from 6:30–8 p.m. March 26.
The program, to be hosted at the restaurant at 1201 Austin Highway, includes a presentation by AgriLife Extension state meat specialist Dan Hale. Hale will provide program attendees with facts about beef, including differences between organic and grass-fed beef, and distinctions in grades and cuts of beef.
A meal will be provided by the chefs at Earl Abel’s and will include sliders made with different types of beef.
The cost is $30 per person and attendees can register online at http://agriliferegister.tamu.edu or by phone at 979-845-2604. If registering online, use the keyword “beef” or enter “San Antonio” as the location.
For more information on this program, contact Connie Sheppard at 210-467-6575 or csheppard@tamu.edu. For more information on additional Backyard Basics programs being offered in South Central Texas, go to http://backyardbasics.tamu.edu.
House Passes Continuing Resolution Funding FSIS Inspectors
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) applauds the action of the House and Senate as this morning the House passed H.R. 933, the continuing resolution which contained a similar amendment to that which passed the Senate yesterday, March 20, 2013. The amendment, authored by Senators Roy Blunt of Missouri and Mark Pryor of Arkansas would shift $55 million from the USDA accounts to pay Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) inspectors through Oct. 1, 2013, when the new fiscal year begins. The bill now heads to the President’s desk for his signature.
“This is great news for every segment of American agriculture,” said NCBA President Scott George, a cattleman from Cody, Wyo. “With this shift of finances, Congress was able to avoid the crisis created by the administration and keep FSIS inspectors in the plants where they belong. While cattlemen and women were disappointed Secretary Vilsack threw in the towel on his agency’s 107-year-old duty to provide federal food-safety inspections, we sincerely thank Senators Blunt and Pryor for ensuring the nation’s food supply will not be limited by politics.”
Under the Federal Meat Inspection Act of 1906 and related legislation, all meat, poultry and egg products produced here in the United States or imported must be inspected by a federal food safety inspector and that service must be paid for by the federal government. Without the inspection, no product can be sold or shipped interstate.
“Had inspection been halted, this would have resulted in a backlog of animals, shortened supply of beef to market, higher prices and harm to the futures markets,” said George. “By the Secretary’s own estimates, this would have equated to $10 billion in production losses and $400 million in lost wages, only compounding the issues faced by ranchers dealing with the worst drought in 50 years.”
Under sequestration, the FSIS was expected to take a total cut of $52.8 million, or 5% of its budget. In that event, furloughs would have been required of all 9,212 employees of the FSIS, including 8,136 meat inspectors and others on the front line such as lab technicians. The furloughs were expected to be taken one day per week between July and the end of the fiscal year in September.
NFU Disappointed in “No” Votes on H.R. 933 Amendments
National Farmer’s Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson issued the following statement in response to the Senate’s refusal to allow voting on amendments to H.R. 933, the Continuing Appropriations bill:
“NFU is deeply disappointed that Senate leadership is preventing votes on amendments to H.R. 933 — the stop-gap funding bill that includes agriculture and will run through Sept. 30. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., offered an amendment that would have removed language in H.R. 933 that prevents USDA Grain Inspection and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) from implementing basic fairness protections for poultry growers. However, this amendment won’t be able to be brought up, and the Senate bill will almost certainly include the offending language.
“NFU will continue to fight for market fairness provisions for family farmers, ranchers and growers in future appropriations bills and rulemaking.”
NFU was among a group of family farmer and consumer groups that sent a letter on this issue last week.
Alltech’s 2013 Symposium Offers a Glimpse of Crisis Management in a 24/7 World
Europe’s horse meat scandal has put food once more in world news and left a legacy of consumer distrust in the food industry. A host of top players have been caught up in the spiraling scandal including Nestle — the world’s largest food company; top beef producer JBS of Brazil; and British supermarket chain Tesco.
There has possibly never been a more appropriate time for Alltech to host a crisis management session at Glimpse 2020: the 29th Annual Alltech International Symposium in Lexington, Ky., May 19-22.
“We will be examining the value of a crisis-management plan and how every company operating in a 24/7 world can implement one. In addition, industry experts will provide us with their viewpoints on valuable lessons learned from the recent horsegate scandal,” said Steve Bourne, chairperson for the crisis management session at Symposium. “We will be addressing issues that could affect any business at minutes’ notice and how companies can protect reputation and, most importantly, the trust of the consumer.”
For more information, click here.
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo President Resigns; Accepts New Position at Texas A&M University
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo officials announced today that the organization’s president and CEO, Skip Wagner, has accepted a position as the president and CEO of the 12th Man Foundation at Texas A&M University. Current chief operating officer (COO), Leroy Shafer, has been named interim president and CEO of the Show.
“The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is extremely proud of the growth and innovations that have occurred during Skip’s tenure at the Show,” said R. H. “Steve” Stevens, Show chairman of the board.
Wagner served the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo from 1992 to 2000 as assistant to the general manager, primarily focused on grounds entertainment, operations and fundraising aspects of the event. After a three-year stint as president and general manager of the Oklahoma State Fair in Oklahoma City, Wagner returned to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in 2004, and was elected as president and CEO in 2005.
The Show has seen much growth under the presidency of Wagner, including reaching 2.5 million in total attendance, operating revenue of more than $115 million, and a commitment of more than $24.6 million to the youth of Texas. The volunteer base has grown from 17,000 to more than 28,000, and a strong staff has been established to carry the Show throughout the year.
Moving forward, Shafer will serve as interim president and CEO.
“With nearly 40 years of experience at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Leroy will do a superb job guiding the Show as our appointed search committee looks for the most suitable person to lead us into the future,” Stevens said. “Leroy has been a constant at the Show since 1973, and I have no doubt that he will be able to lead this organization, its volunteers and staff.”
Shafer began at the Show in 1973 as the assistant manager for public relations. In 1981, he was named assistant general manager, responsible for all marketing operations. He was named chief presentation and operations officer in 2004, and served in that capacity until he was elected as COO in 2005.
After a record-breaking year, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has already started planning for 2014, and will continue to be the largest charitable organization of its kind, and the largest livestock show and most innovative rodeo, providing top-notch musical entertainment, all at affordable prices.
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