News Update
October 24, 2013
Plan to Attend Range
Beef Cow Symposium
The Range Beef Cow Symposium (RBCS) will be hosted in 2013 by South Dakota State University at the Rushmore Convention Center in Rapid City, S.D., Dec. 3-5.
The RBCS is a biennial educational event designed as “in-service training for cow-calf ranchers.” The event will feature well-known speakers who will provide updates on production topics in the areas of beef industry issues, genetics, reproduction, range and forage management, cattle health, beef nutrition and more.
The Angus Journal editorial team coordinates an online event coverage site for the RBCS. Visit www.rangebeefcow.com to download the 2013 event brochure containing the schedule and travel information, along with registration forms for both attendees and vendors.
During and after the conference, visit the site’s Newsroom for summaries, PowerPoint presentations, proceedings papers, audio and additional references provided by speakers.
Canadian Angus Youth Come Home as Champions
Canadian Angus youth chosen last spring to compete in the Youth Programme at the 2013 PGG Wrightson World Angus Forum have been awarded champion and reserve champion world titles.
Canada sponsored three teams of four individuals (totaling 12) to compete at the inaugural event in New Zealand. The Canucks, with team members Jared Hunter, Didsbury, Alta. (captain); Patrick Holland, Montague, PEI; Melissa McRae, Brandon, Man.; and Michael Hargrave, Maxwell, Ont., brought home the world champion title along with $10,000 NZ prize money.
“I am so honored to have been selected to represent Canada on this prestigious trip and winning it is truly unbelievable!” said McRae, winning team member. “I want to thank all the sponsors, organizers and volunteers for making this my best trip ever — also to congratulate all the other competitors for welcoming us Canadians and for all for their hard work.”
The reserve champion world title was also awarded to a Canadian team, Team B-squarED, consisting of captain Erika Easton, Wawota, Sask.; Ty Dietrich, Forestburg, Alta.; Kaitlynn Bolduc, Stavely, Alta.; and Matthew Bates, Cameron, Ont. Bates was also announced the high individual for the entire contest, scoring highest in the most challenges as an individual.
For more information, please view the full release here.
USDA Announces Funds to Provide Broadband in Unserved Rural Communities
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Oct. 24 14 awards for projects to bring broadband to unserved rural communities. USDA Rural Utilities Service Administrator John Padalino made the announcement on the secretary’s behalf while addressing a regional meeting of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in San Antonio.
“Access to broadband is one of the most important investments in rural communities today,” Vilsack said. “These awards will help create jobs, and give rural residents greater access to educational, health care and social services.”
USDA is providing $20.3 million in grants through the Community Connect Grant program.
For example, in Tennessee, Scott County Telephone Cooperative has been selected to receive a $2.6 million grant to build a network that will provide free broadband service to essential community facilities such as schools and libraries. The cooperative also will establish a center where local residents will have access to free Internet service for two years.
These are the first awards made under the Community Connect program’s new guidelines that now allow applicants to fund broadband infrastructure for more than one community, and raise the minimum required speed. Projects funded must deliver broadband at five megabits per second (Mbps).
For more information, please view the full release here.
Stockmen's Association Pledges Reward in Horse Case
The North Dakota Stockmen's Association (NDSA) will “pony-up” up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for striking and dragging a Shetland pony to death near Bottineau, N.D., in late September. The 84-year-old cattle producer organization’s reward is in addition to a second reward fund being administered privately by the horse’s owner, Dave Boppre. The Turtle Mountain Veterinary Service of Bottineau is a collection point for private donations.
“Animal stewardship is a priority for North Dakota stockmen,” said NDSA President Jason Zahn, a Towner, N.D., cow-calf producer. “Ranchers are committed to helping solve this senseless crime, and we are hopeful that the reward will be a catalyst in making that happen.”
People with information should contact Steve Watson at the Bottineau County Sheriff's Department at 701-228-2740 or NDSA East River Fieldman Fred Frederikson, who is assisting with the investigation, at 701-290-3993.
AgriLife Extension Livestock and Range Workshop
Set for Nov. 6
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will conduct the Multi-County Livestock and Range Review from 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 6 at the Upton County Extension Meeting Room in Rankin, Texas.
“We have a diverse group of topics that should be of interest to anyone who owns or leases property in our region,” said Raymond Quigg, AgriLife Extension agent in Upton County. “The topics we’ve chosen stem from questions we’ve had at our respective AgriLife Extension offices on everything from toxic plants to wool contamination.”
The AgriLife Extension county offices in Upton, Glasscock and Reagan counties are conducting the program.
Individual preregistration is $15 by Oct. 31 and $20 thereafter. The fee includes lunch. To preregister, call the AgriLife Extension office in Upton County at 432-693-2313.
Topics and speakers include: What is a Good Seed Mixture for Right-of-Ways?, by Alyson McDonald, AgriLife Extension range specialist, Fort Stockton; Livestock Market Update via Lync technology, by Rick Machen, AgriLife Extension livestock specialist, Uvalde; Review and Identification of Toxic Plants, by Stephen Zuberbueler, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) district conservationist, Big Lake; Pros and Cons of Solar vs. Wind for Water Well Use, by Ken Foerster, USDA-NRCS engineer, San Angelo; Problems with Commingling Hair Sheep with Other Sheep Breeds, by Frank Craddock, AgriLife Extension state sheep and goat specialist, San Angelo and Ronald Pope, manager Producers Marketing Cooperative Inc., Mertzon.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal’s Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
Kansas Junior Beef Producer Day Planned for Dec. 7 at K-State
Kansas Junior Beef Producer Day will be Dec. 7 at Kansas State University’s (K-State) Weber Arena in Manhattan.
The day will bring together youth, parents, beef project leaders and others to increase their knowledge about beef production and management.
Registration begins at 9:00 a.m., with the program starting at 9:30 a.m. Featured speakers and K-State faculty and staff will cover such topics as: Selecting Your Youth Beef Project; Facilities and General Care; Breeds and Beef Identification; Meat and Carcass Evaluation; Nutrition; Showmanship Clinic; and tattooing, fitting and reproduction demonstrations.
All participants will receive a T-shirt and a complimentary lunch. The cost to register is $15 per person if postmarked by Nov. 15; $20 if postmarked after that date. Participants who register after Nov. 15 cannot be guaranteed a T-shirt. More information, online registration, and printable registration forms are available at www.YouthLivestock.KSU.edu. For questions, contact K-State youth livestock coordinator, Kristine Clowers at clowers@ksu.edu (preferred method) or 785-532-1264.
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