News Update
December 16, 2013
National Western
Angus Bull Sale Approaches
The American Angus Association will host its annual Angus Bull Show and Sale Wednesday, Jan. 15, during the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) in Denver, Colo. An annual tradition, it is the only Association-managed sale hosted throughout the year.
“We have a high-quality set of bulls being offered this year in Denver,” says Association Regional Manager David Gazda, who also serves as sale manager. “Most bulls were screened on the farm by Association regional managers prior to being consigned to the sale. Bulls will be evaluated and judged by a three-person panel at the National Western.”
Browse the NWSS Angus Bull Sale book online to read more about the 47 bulls being sold Jan. 15. The event begins at noon in Stadium Arena, where the following judges will evaluate the bulls: Chris Styles, Brentford, S.D.; Jake Scott, Gordon, Neb.; and Joe Myers, Harrodsburg, Ky. They will rank the animals using a composite system to determine sale order.
After the grand and reserve grand champions are selected, attendees will be invited into the showring, where prospective buyers can preview the bulls before the sale.
Then activities move to the Beef Palace Auction Arena at the NWSS Complex. Immediately following the auction of the 2014 Angus Foundation Heifer Package, which starts at 3:30 p.m. MST, the NWSS Angus Bull Sale will begin. Rick Machado, Arroyo Grande, Calif., will serve as auctioneer.
Real-time bidding via the Internet will also be available on LiveAuctions.TV.
For more information on Angus events at the 2014 NWSS, go online or contact the Association office at 816-383-5100. Stay tuned to www.angus.org for the latest show results and news from the show.
Order Gifts that Sizzle This Holiday Season
A few names left on the Christmas list? Don’t despair. There is still time to order Gifts that Sizzle. Offered by the American Angus Auxiliary and the Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) brand, the gift boxes include CAB beef patties, filet mignon, strip steaks or a variety of other cuts — something to please everyone.
“A box filled with high-quality steaks is sure to put a smile on anyone’s face this holiday season,” says Auxiliary President Cortney Holshouser, Castalia, N.C. “Best of all, each purchase helps support our Angus youth.”
The Auxiliary partners solely with Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) to offer customers the best product available. With each purchase, CAB donates a percentage of the profit toward the American Angus Auxiliary educational outreach and scholarship programs.
Multiple selections are available when purchasing a holiday gift box, including four, 8-ounce CAB sirloins, four twice-baked potatoes, and a delicious chocolate-caramel brownie torte. All for the special price of $79 per box.
For the fastest delivery time, purchase Gifts that Sizzle online. Gift boxes can also be purchased by calling 1-888-534-2099. Standard orders will be shipped frozen and delivered within three business days. Rush orders will be delivered in one business day, with available dates shown when the order is placed. Delivery is available throughout the entire United States and Puerto Rico.
Clock is Ticking on Use of Some
Antimicrobial Drugs in Livestock Production
News that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is taking steps to help phase out the use of certain antimicrobial drugs as growth promoters in livestock means there’s now a timeframe in place for livestock producers to adjust production practices, said Kansas State University (K-State) veterinarian Mike Apley.
The guidelines apply to drugs considered “medically important,” which the FDA describes as being important for treating human diseases. Cattle production will be less affected than swine because cattle growth promoters are typically ionophores, which are not considered medically important, said Apley, a professor of clinical sciences in K-State’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
“This news means the clock is ticking. Livestock producers and pharmaceutical companies have three months and three years to get it done,” he said, referring to a three-month comment period which will be followed by a three-year period for drug companies to voluntarily revise FDA-approved labeled use conditions.
In its announcement, the FDA stated that “certain antimicrobials have historically been used in the feed or drinking water of cattle, poultry, hogs and other food animals for production purposes such as using less feed to gain weight. Some of these antimicrobials are important drugs used to treat human infection, prompting concerns about the contribution of this practice to increasing the ability of bacteria and other microbes to resist the effects of the drug. Once antimicrobial resistance occurs, a drug may no longer be as effective in treating various illnesses or infection.
For more information, please view the full release here.
Agriculture Secretary Announces
Electric System Improvements in 25 States
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced more than $1.8 billion in funding Dec. 13 for electric-utility infrastructure projects in 25 states and one territory to improve service for more than 37,000 rural customers. The projects include more than $45 million for smart grid technology, $73 million for renewable energy projects and over $213 million targeted to benefit Native Americans. This funding will build or improve more than 6,500 miles of line to deliver electricity to rural America.
“Rural electric cooperatives have provided reliable, affordable power to rural communities for more than 75 years. This investments will help ensure our electric infrastructure continues to deliver reliable and affordable electricity for years to come,” Vilsack said. “This funding is part of the Obama administration’s vision for a new rural energy economy and USDA’s commitment to creating economic opportunity in rural America. Investments in smart-grid technologies will continue to modernize our nation’s electric system and improve operational efficiencies.”
The funding announcement is provided through the USDA Rural Utilities Service Program.
Among the projects being funded is the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority, which serves rural electric consumers in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. The utility will receive funding of nearly $168 million to build approximately 1,215 miles of line, invest in smart-grid technologies and make other system improvements. Nearly 3,800 rural electric consumers in the three states will see direct benefits from this investment. Of the $168 million in funding, more than $166 million will serve Native Americans.
For more information, please view the full release here.
NCBA's Cattlemen's College Lineup Set for
Feb. 3-4 in Nashville
Celebrating its 21st year, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) Cattlemen’s College has established a reputation as one of the most thorough cattle producer education programs in the nation. Sponsored by Zoetis Animal Health, the 2014 edition of Cattlemen’s College offers a wide range of informative, hands-on educational workshops designed for cattle operations of every size and sector.
The program will take place Feb. 3-4, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn., headlining the first day of activities at the 2014 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. Early registration for Cattlemen’s College and the convention ends Jan. 10, 2014.
Cattlemen’s College workshops include an outstanding lineup of industry experts during the course of two jam-packed days. On Mon., Feb. 3, participants will first hear from Arne Anderson as he presents “Manners Matter: Keeping You and Your Cattle Alive and Well.” This first class is aimed at the do’s and dont’s of processing cattle through a chute, with emphasis placed on safety and efficiency for both the cowboys and the cattle.
Following this presentation, Jerry Lipsey will demonstrate how to select replacement heifers for longevity in a presentation entitled “Can Visual Evaluation Foresee Differences in Fertility?” and Kent Andersen will discuss the selection of replacement bulls for fertility.
Starting Tuesday morning at 7:00 am, Cattlemen’s College classes begin with a keynote address by Bob Langert, who is the corporate vice president, and leads corporate social responsibility and sustainability for McDonald’s Corporation. Langert will share McDonald’s overall sustainable supply chain vision and how beef fits in.
For more information, please view the full release here.
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