News Update
October 1, 2013
Angus Reaches New Milestone
in Genetic Improvement
The American Angus Association and its subsidiary Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) are pleased to announce record numbers of Angus cattle being tested with high-density genomic trait tests. That number recently surpassed 40,000 tests, and it is only expected to grow.
“We are fortunate to see the rapid adoption of this technology by our Angus breeders to drive the genomic-enhanced EPDs (GE-EPDs), thanks to research collaboration, improved genomic technology and increased test volume,” says Bill Bowman, AGI president and Association COO.
Genomic technology uptake by Angus breeders provides the opportunity to better characterize the genetics of registered-Angus herds, to make breed improvements for generations to come, and to offer commercial cattlemen access to the most dependable genetic selection tools available.
The expansion of the collaborative partnership between AGI and Zoetis Animal Genetics research scientists has allowed for a more streamlined approach to GE-EPD computation. Now, the high-density 50K SNP genotypes delivered by AGI partner laboratories will be characterized in-house with a Zoetis-generated algorithm for use in the Association’s weekly National Cattle Evaluation (NCE) efforts.
AGI and the Association currently offer comprehensive updates of the entire NCE every week — including genomic results incorporated into genomic-enhanced EPDs — providing the most rapid genetic feedback available in the beef cattle industry. For more details, visit AGI online or access AAA Login.
For more information, please view the full release here.
Partisan Politics Prolongs Uncertainty
for Family Farmers, Consumers
National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson issued the following statement this morning, Oct. 1, amid a federal government shutdown and the expiration of the current farm bill:
“The U.S. Congress has put all Americans in a dire situation. The uncertainty created by the failure to come to an agreement on how to fund the government has overshadowed a situation that impacts the livelihood of so many family farmers, ranchers, fishermen and hungry people in this country.
“Today marks the second time that the 2008 Farm Bill was set to expire. We are once again in a time of uncertainty and limbo. NFU urges Congress to end the partisan politics that are presently taking over the ability to accomplish any business. House leadership should appoint conferees to the farm bill conference committee so that a five-year, comprehensive bill can be put forward for the president to sign. We simply cannot afford another extension or period of inaction.”
TSCRA Seeks to Address FM and RR Roads
at 2013 Policy Meeting
Members of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) approved policy today to urge the Texas Legislature to properly fund the repair and maintenance of farm/ranch to market roads. The policy comes after a recent announcement by the Texas Department of Public Transportation (TXDOT) to convert existing paved FM and RR roads in South and West Texas to gravel roads due to lack of funding.
“Safe and well-maintained rural roads are the lifeline of the Texas cattle industry,” said Pete Bonds, Saginaw rancher and TSCRA president. “It’s the legislature’s responsibility to give TXDOT the funds it needs to repair and maintain these roads.”
The roads initially proposed for conversion total 85 miles in four counties in South Texas and two counties in West Texas. Both areas are in the middle of a region experiencing significant oil and gas activity, and a large increase in the number and size of trucks transporting products on rural roads.
Bonds says that without proper maintenance of these roads, the oil and gas industry will suffer just like the cattle industry.
The association’s policy additionally calls for the oil and gas industry to make financial contributions to help fund the repair and/or maintenance of farm/ranch to market roads that are being utilized for oil and gas activity.
2014 National Beef Ambassadors Selected
Tori Summey, Arizona; Emma Morris, California; Sierra Jepsen, Ohio; Rachael Wolters, Tennessee; and Justana Von Tate, Texas, were named to the 2014 National Beef Ambassador Team at the annual National Beef Ambassador competition, funded in part by the beef checkoff.
During the event in Springdale, Ark., over the weekend, 22 senior contestants (ages 17-21) were judged in the areas of consumer promotion, education and outreach strategy, media interview technique and issues response.
Contestants from throughout the country vied for a place on this elite team of agriculture advocates, plus $5,000 in cash prizes sponsored exclusively by Farm Credit. In addition, the American National CattleWomen Foundation and Monsanto awarded five educational scholarships totaling $5,000.
This year’s contest also included a junior competition for youth advocates (ages 12-16). Twelve passionate contestants vied for cash prizes, competing in three judged categories: consumer promotion, media interview technique and issues response. The first place winner was Katelin Spradley of New Mexico. Second place went to Madison Martin of Tennessee, and third place to Phillip Saunders of Virginia. They all took home checks sponsored exclusively by Farm Credit for their top scores.
For more information, please view the full release here.
Water Well Owner Training Set for Oct. 22 in Fort Stockton
Anyone interested in private well-water management in the Pecos River watershed is invited to the free Texas Well Owner Network training Oct. 22 in Fort Stockton.
The training will be from 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. at the Pecos County Civic Center, said Drew Gholson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program specialist and network coordinator in College Station.
“The Texas Well Owner Network program is for Texas residents who depend on household wells for their water needs,” Gholson said. “Well owners who want to become familiar with Texas’ groundwater resources, septic-system maintenance, well maintenance and construction, water quality and water treatment will benefit from this training.”
Lucas Gregory, the Pecos River watershed coordinator, said protecting water quality was a resource concern addressed in the Pecos River Watershed Protection Plan by local landowners.
“This program will provide those in attendance with useful information that will enable them to better protect and manage their water resources,” he said.
Participants are welcome to bring well-water samples to the training so they may be screened. The cost is $10, with payment due when samples are turned in at the training.
“We invite private well owners to bring in a water sample to be screened for nitrate, total dissolved solids and bacteria,” Gholson said.
Well owners who would like to have their well water sampled can pick up the sample bags from the AgriLife Extension office in Pecos, Reeves, Ward, Crane, Upton and Terrell counties. They can also be obtained at the Middle Pecos Groundwater Conservation District office in Fort Stockton.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal’s Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
Ohio State University to Offer Year-end Tax Tips
for Farmers at Nov. 4 Workshop
Farmers and producers looking to plan ahead for tax filing this year can learn about federal tax law changes and updates, as well as potential money-saving tips they can use when filing 2013 tax returns, from tax experts at Ohio State University’s (OSU) College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
A Nov. 4 workshop offered by Larry Gearhardt, director of the OSU Income Tax School Program of OSU Extension, will focus on interpreting tax regulations and recent changes in tax laws, and is designed to help farmers learn what questions to ask to make more informed decisions about their taxes, he said.
The program will help farmers and producers understand new tax laws and rules adopted after the so-called fiscal-cliff legislation, including many provisions made retroactive to 2012 and included for 2013, Gearhardt said.
The “Year-end Tax Tips for Farmers” program is at 7 p.m. in Greenville, in OSU Extension’s Darke County office. The workshop costs $5 per family or farm to cover the cost of handouts and refreshments.
Gearhardt said the topics were chosen because they are “key issues for farmers.”
The workshop will focus on factors farmers need to weigh individually when deciding how to file their taxes, including: how old they are; do they plan to expand their operations; how much they made this year; is there a younger generation coming up; and, which area of agriculture they are in, Gearhardt said.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal’s Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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