News Update
August 16, 2013
Angus Journal Provides Coverage
Of Applied Reproductive Strategies
In Beef Cattle Symposium
Cattle producers, veterinarians and other industry personnel from across the country will have the opportunity to visit the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains during the peak of the fall colors to participate in another offering of Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle (ARSBC), in Staunton, Va., Oct. 15-16. This year’s meeting will be at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel and Conference Center, a historic and beautifully restored hotel with history and charm, but all the comforts of home.
The conference will focus on how producers can profit from managing reproduction. Program segments include the importance of estrus, inseminator efficiency and male fertility, genetics, artificial insemination technique, nutrition and fertility, managing stress, determining pregnancy status, and advanced technologies.
The Angus Journal will provide online coverage of the event, including streaming video during the conference and post-conference coverage, at www.appliedreprostrategies.com thanks to the sponsorship of the Beef Reproduction Task Force and LiveAuctions.tv. Visit the site now for the schedule, links to registration, hotel and travel information. The Beef Reproduction Task Force comprises representatives from major land-grant universities in eight states. The group was formed to coordinate the many beef breeding protocols being developed, ensuring a consistency in terminology and protocols.
Visit the site newsroom after the meeting to access summaries, proceedings, PowerPoints and audio for the Presentations.
For more information about the meeting, contact Dee Whittier, veterinarian and professor in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, Va., at dwit@vt.edu.
NCBA Clarifies Position on Tyson Decision
to Stop Accepting Cattle Fed Zilmax
As stated in a press release issued Friday, Aug. 9, “Cattlemen and women believe in the right of farmers and ranchers to responsibly use FDA-approved technologies. We also believe in Tyson’s right to make individual company decisions that they feel are in the best interest of their business.”
To clarify, NCBA supports Tyson’s right to make their decision to stop accepting cattle fed Zilmax, in order to ensure animal health and well-being. We also support Merck Animal Health’s five-step plan and their efforts to address questions related to the use of Zilmax and animal welfare.
USDA Seeks Applicants for Funds to Assist Rural Microentrepreneurs
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the availability of loan and grant funds to support rural microentrepreneurs and microenterprises Aug. 15.
“By supporting very small business enterprises through the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program, USDA has been able to direct assistance to small firms that otherwise might not be able to obtain credit,” said Vilsack. “This program has shown that even a modest investment of federal dollars can have a huge impact for the local economy in small towns across rural America.”
Despite budget uncertainties, USDA remains focused on strengthening the rural economy. USDA’s Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) was established under the 2008 Farm Bill to support the development and ongoing success of rural microentrepreneurs and microenterprises, which are defined as rural businesses with 10 or fewer employees. About $12.2 million will be provided to eligible applicants this year. Under the program, USDA may provide loans of up to $500,000 to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs). They, in turn, make microloans for business start-up or development to eligible microentrepreneurs who are unable to obtain conventional credit elsewhere. Grants of up to $30,000 are available for MDOs to provide technical assistance and training, particularly in rural areas that have experienced significant outmigration. USDA does not directly provide funds to the ultimate recipients.
RMAP applications are due by Sept. 13, 2013. More information about how to apply is available in the Aug. 14, 2013, Federal Register. View it here: www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-08-14/pdf/2013-19765.pdf, or by contacting any USDA Rural Development state office.
For more information, please view the full release here.
‘Get it in Writing’: AgriLife Extension Expert Advises Beef Producers to Have Lease Agreement
Beef producers entering into a lease contract for grazing, use of breeding bulls or other business activities are advised to have a written agreement, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agricultural law specialist.
Tiffany Dowell, an assistant professor and agricultural law specialist with AgriLife Extension in College Station, told beef producers at the recent Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course, a written lease provides protection to both parties.
For more information, please view the August Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, which will be released Aug. 22. You can subscribe for free inbox delivery here.
Editor’s Note: The articles used within this site represent a mixture of copyrights. If you would like to reprint or repost an article, you must first request permission of Angus Productions Inc. (API) by contacting the editor at 816-383-5200; 3201 Frederick Ave., Saint Joseph, MO 64506. API claims copyright to this web site as presented. We welcome educational venues and cattlemen to link to this site as a service to their audience.