News Update
December 4, 2013
I am Angus Broadcasts
Thursday Night, Dec. 5
Produced entirely by the American Angus Association, the upcoming I am Angus® episode explores the roots of the Angus business — and reminds us where we come from. Tune in at 10 p.m. EST (9 p.m. CST) Thursday, Dec. 5, on RFD-TV.
“This I am Angus takes us back to the generations who built the platform the agriculture industry stands on today,” says Eric Grant, Association public relations and communications director. “Each segment has a different perspective, from transportation to health to genetics, on how the industry we work for has changed.”
The episode is sponsored by the GeneSeek Angus GGP-HD, helping Angus producers accelerate genetic progress and reduce risk in genetic investment. Learn more at www.neogenagrigenomics.com.
RFD-TV is distributed by more than 625 cable operators, and can be found on DirecTV channel 345 and Dish Network channel 231. Check local listings for more information.
Save the date for the next I am Angus episode Dec. 26, as the Association introduces families involved in the business of raising Angus cattle. To watch segments from past shows, visit the <em>Association’s website or YouTube channel.
Angus Bred Heifer Sale Uses Tech to Find Best
The cattle business has become a high-stakes endeavor, with calves bringing $1,200 and cows often bringing twice that, yet feed and other costs hold back expansion. At the other end, beef consumers want to buy beef from the meatcase, but cost is a worry. In both cases, they need more information.
Two northern Missouri Angus breeders and their bull customers decided this fall to do something about it. On Dec. 7, a Green City (Mo.) Livestock Auction sale will feature 300-350 high-percentage Angus bred heifers that have been screened to reduce risk.
The GeneMax™ (GMX) Elite Bred Heifer Sale is named after the genomic DNA test from Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) that sorts genetic potential for gain and grade, ranking cattle from 99 down to 1 at the bottom. To learn more, view ">this video clip provided by CAB and the American Angus Association.
Angus Central Official Opening Dec. 11
Official opening of Angus Central, the new Canadian Angus Association national headquarters, will take place Wednesday, Dec. 11.
The new location is conveniently located 10 minutes north of the Calgary International Airport, east of the Cross Iron Mills complex at Balzac. The new address is 292140 Wagon Wheel Blvd., Rocky View County, Alta. Visit the website, www.cdnangus.ca/angus%20central.htm, for a map and directions.
Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be served from 1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. During the event the new Angus headquarters will be dedicated, new fundraising initiatives for the Canadian Angus Foundation will be launched and one of the greatest collections of Angus history in the world will be unveiled.
Please RSVP to Cassie at 1-888-571-3580 ext. 5603 and let her know of any special interviews or photo ops needed. A press release will be sent out after the event along with photos.
New Initiative Focuses on Critical Role of Soil Health
Farm Foundation, NFP and The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation announced Dec. 4 the launch of a new initiative designed to bring attention to the critical role of soil health in the challenge of feeding 9 billion people by 2050. This announcement is being made to mark World Soil Day Dec. 5.
Through the leadership of the two foundations, the Soil Health Initiative will bring recognition to the central role of soil in productive agricultural systems, and establish a strategic plan to address soil health issues.
“Soil health is a key factor in any agricultural production system, whether conventional or organic, yet soil is too often ignored or overshadowed by other factors,” says Noble Foundation President Bill Buckner. “It is critical that producers — the people working directly with the land — be in close communication with researchers and policymakers to ensure that their challenges are recognized and our soils are protected and sustained for future generations.”
The Initiative evolved from discussions by 25 leaders representing conventional and organic agriculture, science and research, land managers and policymakers about the best tools to measure, promote and research soil health. This core group will be expanded to five working groups that will find consensus on a definition of “soil health” to bring consistency and continuity to related work; define a standard for measuring soil health; identify opportunities for specific research work; prepare a white paper outlining the current state of soil health; and develop a strategic plan to broadly advance work on soil health issues.
For more information, please view the full release here.
Applications for Conservation Stewardship Program Due Jan. 17
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is opening the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) for new enrollments for federal fiscal year 2014. Through Jan. 17, 2014, producers interested in participating in the program can submit applications to NRCS.
“Through the Conservation Stewardship Program, farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners are going the extra mile to conserve our nation’s resources,” NRCS Chief Jason Weller said. “Through their conservation actions, they are ensuring that their operations are more productive and sustainable over the long run.”
The CSP is an important Farm Bill conservation program that helps established conservation stewards with taking their level of natural resource management to the next level to improve both their agricultural production and provide valuable conservation benefits such as cleaner and more abundant water, as well as healthier soils and better wildlife habitat.
Weller said today's announcement is another example of USDA’s comprehensive focus on promoting environmental conservation and strengthening the rural economy, and it is a reminder that a new Food, Farm and Jobs Bill is pivotal to continue these efforts. CSP is now in its fifth year and so far, NRCS has partnered with producers to enroll more than 59 million acres across the nation.
The program emphasizes conservation performance — producers earn higher payments for higher performance. In CSP, producers install conservation enhancements to make positive changes in soil quality, soil erosion, water quality, water quantity, air quality, plant resources, animal resources and energy.
For more information, please view the full release here.
Voting Begins in National Ag Day Poster Art Contest
The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) has started the voting process in the National Ag Day Poster Art Contest. Young artists from across the country submitted artwork for the contest and it is down to six finalists. Your vote will choose the winning entry of the official 2014 National Ag Day Poster.
The ACA and Successful Farming encouraged artists to celebrate modern agriculture through the second annual National Ag Day Poster Art Contest.
The contest was open to amateur artists enrolled in high school or college. The contest theme was Agriculture: 365 Sunrises and 7 Billion Mouths to Feed.
In addition, the artwork and a profile of the artist will be prominently featured in Successful Farming magazine and Ag Day correspondence. The winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship from Successful Farming. Media releases will also be sent to all Ag Day sponsors and supporters. The artist will receive a portion of the proceeds from limited edition prints and the winning art will be on display at National Ag Day activities in Washington, D.C., on March 25.
To vote for the winning artwork in the National Ag Day Poster Art Contest visit http://farmprogress.com/customPage.aspx?p=527. Deadline to vote is midnight Dec. 9. Only one vote per email address is permitted.
“The Agriculture Council of America is fully supportive of the new Ag Day Poster Art Contest,” said Tres Bailey, Wal-Mart and ACA Chair. “It’s a great way to encourage young artists to celebrate agriculture and spread the word of the importance of agriculture in everyone’s lives.”
For more information, please view the National Ag Day website here.
MCA 46th Convention Preregistration Deadline Approaching
The 2014 Missouri Cattlemen’s Association (MCA) Convention and Trade Show will take place at the Tan-Tar-A Resort, Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., Jan. 2-4, 2014. MCA Vice President Janet Akers said with preregistration right around the corner, it is exciting to see cattlemen and cattlewomen registering the entire family.
“This year’s convention is focused on family and this year’s convention prices reflect that,” said Akers. “I encourage everyone to take advantage of the convention package, reasonable hotel rates, educational seminars and family activities like the Timber Falls Water Park.”
The convention deadline for discounted hotel group rates and preregistration is Dec. 13. The room rate for convention is $69 and is guaranteed until Dec. 13. Any reservations after this date will not be discounted through the group rate.
“With discounted prices ending within the next week, I hope everyone will take the time to register and make hotel arrangements in advance,” said Akers
The three-day convention will kick-off with a welcome reception and dance. Other events, such as Cattlemen’s College and the Cattlemen’s Chuck Wagon Luncheon will provide both an inside look at the industry and entertainment for the whole family.
To register, click here or contact MCA Director of Membership Katie Steen for more information, at katiesteen@mocattle.com or call 573-499-9162. For hotel reservations call Tan-Tar-A Resort at 1-800-826-8272.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal’s Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events 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.