News Update
September 25, 2013
Expert Advisory Group Formed to Review Proposed Trich Rule
The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association (MCA) formed an objective group of industry leaders to review the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) proposed changes to the rule regarding the cattle disease, trichomoniasis (trich), which was published Sept. 3, 2013. According to MCA President Chuck Massengill, the “Trich Expert Advisory Group” was established to ensure any changes to regulations for trich were vetted with leaders from all segments of the beef cattle industry.
“To my knowledge, no one from the industry was involved in writing these regulations for trich when the rule originated two years ago. It is paramount that we have those impacted by regulations involved early in the development of rules to prevent any unintended consequences down the road,” said Massengill, who is also a veterinarian. “MCA brought together some of the best minds in the business to look at all aspects of this rule and identify the best ways to minimize unnecessary burdens on the industry, while also working towards significantly suppressing this disease in our state.”
The working group was comprised of 10 industry leaders, including former MDA State Veterinarian Taylor Woods. Woods said when drafting regulations you have to listen to those who will be impacted by the regulation.
“In order for animal health regulations to achieve the intended goals, you absolutely have to have everyone on board,” said Woods. “Cattlemen have to be involved because the success of regulations intended to eliminate threats of animal disease ultimately depend on producers.”
The proposed rule changes are a result of MCA and other commodity groups asking for changes to the current regulation regarding Trich. Massengill said he appreciates MDA bringing forward changes and allowing the industry to comment.
“The proposed changes are a good start, but miss the mark in terms of reducing financial burdens on cattlemen,” said Massengill. “We certainly hope MDA will listen to the industry and make modifications to their proposed changes. We are all in this together.”
Comments to the proposed changes must be submitted by Oct. 3, 2013.
Agricultural Apps to be Presented in
Series of South Texas Workshops
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will teach a series of workshops on agricultural apps for smartphones and tablets at several South Texas locations in late October. The first will be in Wilson County Oct. 22, followed by workshops in Colorado County Oct. 23; Refugio County Oct. 24; and Matagorda County Oct. 25.
“The goal is to teach farmers and ranchers to use their iPhones to make decisions to improve their bottom line, whether in the field, on the tractor or in the pickup,” said Jackie Smith, an AgriLife Extension economist in Lubbock and one of the workshop instructors.
The hands-on part of the workshop will be conducted on Apple iPads, but Microsoft and Android tablets will also be demonstrated during the class, Smith said.
Jay Yates, an AgriLife Extension program specialist in Lubbock who will also provide instruction, said the workshop will use a lab of 25 iPads to lead participants in hands-on sessions to better utilize some of the hundreds of agricultural apps available.
“We have been involved in a grant project to study the use of tablets and smartphones in agriculture to teach farmers and ranchers how to use the technology to become better decision makers,” he said.
Time will be spent to make sure all participants understand the basics of using an iPad and iPhone, but the majority of workshop time will be spent evaluating a wide range of agricultural apps, Yates said.
For more information, please view the full release here.
King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management
Symposium set for October 24-25
Join the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management Symposium (KRIRM) at the 10th Annual Holt Cat® Symposium on Excellence in Ranch Management as experts discuss the future of the ranching industry. Critical issues discussed will include the climate, beef prices and managing risk. Sessions will also address drought recovery and ranch expansion through purchasing and leasing.
Symposium speakers include: Dave DeLaney, King Ranch Inc.; Evelyn Browning-Garriss, climatologist; Tom Brink, JBS-Five Rivers Cattle Co.; Randy Blach, CattleFax; Charles Gilliand, Texas A&M Real Estate Center; Trey Patterson, Padlock Ranch; Paul Genho, Farmland Reserves Inc.; Ted McCollum, Texas AgriLife Extension; and John Sharp, Texas A&M University System. Registration is now open. Learn more and register at www.krirm.tamuk.edu.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal’s Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
Livestock Groups Hail Passage of Critical Wildfire Legislation
The Public Lands Council (PLC), the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Arizona Cattle Grower’s Association (ACGA) hailed the U.S. House of Representative’s passage of legislation that will improve federal forest management to prevent catastrophic wildfire and support rural economies. The Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act, H.R. 1526, passed with resounding support on a 244-173 bipartisan vote. Sponsored by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-Wash.), it includes measures from various previously introduced bills designed to expedite the removal of hazardous fuels from national forests while simultaneously increasing the economic productivity of those forests.
“This wildfire package could save the livelihoods of thousands of ranchers on and near public lands,” said Brice Lee, Colorado rancher and president of PLC. “Millions of acres across the West burn each year, leaving many communities devastated and a whole lot of livestock with nowhere to go. I applaud Chairman Hastings and the other representatives, such as Paul Gosar of Arizona and Scott Tipton of Colorado, who contributed to this package by offering commonsense, concrete forest-management solutions.”
H.R. 1526 includes measures to improve current forest management in a number of ways. It would expedite the regulatory review process in high-risk areas, allowing needed fuel-reducing activities such as livestock grazing and logging to go forward without delay; increase state and local involvement in wildfire prevention; and improve rural schools, infrastructure and overall economies by increasing timber harvests.
For more information, please view the full release here.
Rare and The Nature Conservancy Agree to Merge
The Nature Conservancy and Rare today announced their intent to merge, combining forces to accomplish greater conservation outcomes together than either organization could alone.
Under the combined organization, Rare, known for its ground-breaking Pride campaigns, aimed at inspiring and empowering local people to conserve their natural resources, will retain its identity and brand. Brett Jenks will continue to serve as Rare’s president and CEO. He will become an executive vice president of the Conservancy and lead the Conservancy’s Oceans Program as managing director.
“This strategic merger will enable us to achieve big things together,” said Mark Tercek, president and CEO of the Conservancy. “Both organizations are results-driven, entrepreneurial and focused on finding innovative solutions for protecting the natural systems on which all life depends. Coming together will enhance our ability to collaborate with partners around the world and solve real problems.”
“Combining organizations gives Rare and The Nature Conservancy an opportunity to increase our impact across many geographies,” said Jenks. “Together, we’ll be able to scale up Rare’s Pride campaign approach and tackle new initiatives in support of our shared vision for conservation and community engagement.”
A top priority for the merged organization is to revitalize ocean conservation around the world by collaborating with others and utilizing the reach and expertise of both organizations. This includes the work Rare is doing with its suite of partners to boost fish stocks, increase food security, improve livelihoods and build coastal climate resilience in near-shore fisheries throughout the developing tropics.
For more information, please view the full release here.
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