News Update
January 6, 2014
Young Cattlemen’s Conference Deadline Approaching
Every year, the Angus Foundation sponsors one individual to attend the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Young Cattlemen’s Conference (YCC). The application, due Friday, Jan. 10, can be found at www.angusfoundation.org. The Foundation’s sponsorship covers flight costs and registration fees. The applicant must be between the ages of 25 to 50 and an NCBA member.
YCC allows young leaders the chance to see firsthand and further understand all aspects of the beef industry. Attendees participate in a nationwide tour of the beef production chain from ranch to feedlot to packing plant, through marketing and regulatory affairs and finally ending at consumer foodservice.
“YCC is an experience all Angus breeders should consider when broadening their industry awareness,” says Milford Jenkins, Angus Foundation president. “This opportunity helps participants enhance cattle industry knowledge for themselves and the consumer public through effective communications.”
Recent YCC tours have begun at the NCBA headquarters in Denver, Colo., then traveled to Swift & Company headquarters, visited a feedyard in Kansas, a packing plant in South Dakota, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and seedstock operations in Virginia, before the trip ends in Washington, D.C., which includes stops at USDA, the Capitol, the White House and the Department of the Interior.
“Because education is such an important part of the Angus Foundation, we are pleased to be able to continue the support of an Angus breeder to YCC,” says Jenkins.
For more information on YCC, the Angus Foundation or a list of previous Angus YCC representatives, visit www.angusfoundation.org.
My American Farm Releases Global Agriculture Game
The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture has released a new educational game entitled “The Great Seed Search” that gives learners the opportunity to experience the global nature of the agriculture industry.
In this simulation game, players enter coordinates and pilot a plane around the world collecting important seeds. Through challenges in the game, players learn about other cultures, geography and agricultural products. The game and supporting educational resources can be found at www.myamericanfarm.org/games/great_seed_search/.
This game was developed with guidance from The Asia Society and The Longview Foundation, who served as global literacy subject matter experts. Technical experts volunteered their time to support content development, research and review.
“Agriculture is global. Exposing our students to this fact at a young age is imperative both for their education, as well as for the success of the industry. Asia Society is proud to partner with American Farm Bureau and Longview Foundation on this important initiative,” shares Heather Singmaster, assistant director of education for The Asia Society.
My American Farm is an educational game platform launched in 2011 to engage pre-K through fifth grade learners in the discovery of relevant agricultural issues. The free site currently offers 19 agriculturally-themed games and more than 100 free educator resources such as lesson plans, activity sheets and comics.
Low-stress Cattle Handling to be Jan. 8
The Safe Cattle Marketing Group will host a free seminar conducted by low-stress cattle handling expert, Curt Pate on Jan. 8 in Bainbridge, Ga.
Low-stress handling can increase profit without increasing inputs. Bad dispositions in cattle can cause financial losses in the industry because of excessive shrink, increased labor, injury to cattle and humans, poor performance and lower carcass quality.
The event begins at 10 a.m. with Cattle Handling on Foot followed by lunch and presentations by FRM Feeds and Curt Pate. The event will conclude at 2 p.m. with Cattle Handling on Horseback.
Please meet at the barn just east of 2933 Old Whigham Road, Bainbridge, Georgia 39817. For more information, call Ernie Ford at 229-357-0703.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal’s calendar of upcoming events here.
Water-quality Training Feb. 17 in Tyler to Focus on Neches, Sabine Rivers
A Texas Watershed Steward workshop on water-quality issues related to the Neches and Sabine rivers will take place from 1-5 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office for Smith County.
The office is located in Room 116 of the Smith County Cotton Belt Building, 1517 W. Front St., Tyler, Texas.
The free program is open to anyone interested in improving water quality in the Tyler region, said program coordinators, and participants are encouraged to preregister at http://tws.tamu.edu.
It is presented by AgriLife Extension and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board in coordination with Smith County.
“The workshop is designed to help watershed residents improve and protect their water resources by becoming involved in local watershed protection and management activities,” said Galen Roberts, AgriLife Extension program specialist and coordinator for the Texas Watershed Steward Program.
Roberts said the workshop will include an overview of water-quality and watershed management in Texas, but will primarily focus on water-quality issues relating to the Neches and Sabine rivers, including current efforts to help improve and protect water in the area.
The training will include a discussion of watershed systems, types and sources of water pollution, and ways to improve and protect water quality. There also will be a group discussion on community-driven watershed protection and management.
“The Neches and Sabine Rivers are important resources for the area,” said Chad Gulley, AgriLife Extension agent for Smith County. “The rivers are a part of the urban and rural character of this region, and are sources of water for municipal supply, agriculture, fishing and recreational activities, as well as wildlife habitat.”
For more information, please view the Angus Journal’s calendar of upcoming events here.
Cover Your Acres Conference Planned for Jan. 21-22
Kansas State University (K-State) Research and Extension, in partnership with the Northwest Crop Residue Alliance, will host the Cover Your Acres Winter Conference Jan. 21-22 in Oberlin, Kan., for crop producers, consultants and others interested in northwest Kansas agriculture.
The meeting is a producer-driven program that focuses on the latest technology, methods and conservation practices to improve crop production on the High Plains, said Lucas Haag and Jeanne Falk Jones, K-State Research and Extension crops and soils specialists. It annually brings in more than 500 attendees from the surrounding area.
“This year the conference will feature university specialists and industry representatives discussing current topics in crop production, weed control, emerging insect pests and more,” Haag said. “The same programs will be offered both days of the conference. Sessions will be held concurrently through the day.”
“This year, Barry Flinchbaugh will address agricultural policy and its impact on producers and production practices,” added Falk. “In addition, we have Dan O’Brien discussing the grain market outlook for the upcoming year.”
Registration begins both days at 7:45 a.m., with educational sessions ending at 5 p.m. followed by a ‘bull session’ on Tuesday evening where attendees can visit with industry and university specialists.
The conference will take place at The Gateway Civic Center at 1 Morgan Drive in Oberlin. An early registration fee of $35 for Jan. 21 or $30 for Jan. 22 is due by Jan. 15. For those who plan to attend both days, the fee is $50 if paid by Jan. 15. After Jan. 15, the cost is $50 per day. The conference fee includes refreshments and meals. Continuing education credits are available for certified crop advisors and commercial applicators.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal’s calendar of upcoming events here.
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