News Update
January 21, 2014
Ranchers Helping Ranchers
Angus breeder Keith Russell, Johnstown, Colo., says he looks to improve his herd every day. But after the devastating flooding in Colorado, each day is a challenge. Since the massive rainfall that hit the area in 2013, Russell’s homestead has been left with mud and debris, and little to no winter feed or equipment.
In support of Russell, and to honor his commitment to the Angus breed, an online auction is now live, and offers top-quality Angus semen and embryos.
Supporters can find the auction at www.disasterrelief.dvauction.com. The sale ends at noon on Jan. 25. For more information about sale offerings call DV Auction at 402-316-5460.
Cash donations are welcome and can be mailed to the Keith Russell Benefit Fund at P.O. Box 331, Columbus, MT 59019. To find out more about the benefit, contact Phil Trowbridge, Ghent, N.Y., at 518-369-6584 or trowbridgefarms@me.com; John Patterson, Columbus, Mont., at 406-445-2332 or orblkcow@hotmail.com; or George Marcy, Fort Collins, Colo., at 970-204-1134 or marcylivestock@msn.com.
Certified Angus Beef® Brand Resonates with Consumers
A nationwide study confirms that the premium quality of the Certified Angus Beef®/em> (CAB®) brand resonates with consumers. Seventy-five percent of those interviewed by Firebox Research & Strategy of Beachwood, Ohio, ranked the CAB brand logo as representing the highest quality Angus beef available. Moreover, they said they would pay more for it in restaurants and grocery stores.
The research builds on findings from 900 in-store intercepts in 2007 and focus groups in 2010. The latest information adds results from 900 U.S. store intercepts in 2013, as well as a Web survey of 1,100 consumers from the United States and eastern Canada. Participants in the studies were ages 35-54, 75% women and 25% men, with annual household incomes of $50,000 or more, who consume beef at least once or twice per week.
”The studies provide two very different views of the consumer,” says Michael Schiller, managing director of Firebox Research & Strategy and the primary researcher on the studies. “The web survey allows us to look at the consumer market for premium beef, while the in-store survey gives us great insight into customers who shop at stores carrying the Certified Angus Beef brand in their meatcase.”
The brand’s logo advanced to 94% consumer recognition, more than double the closest ranking brand and three percentage points higher than in 2007. Given a list of beef grades and brands by name, awareness for the Certified Angus Beef brand name rose to 92%, which is five points higher than in 2007.
For more information, please view the full release here.
Show-Me-Select Beef Meeting Set for Jan. 30 at Saint Joseph
Beef producers in northwestern Missouri will meet in Saint Joseph, Mo., Jan. 30, to plan the year in the Show-Me-Select (SMS) Replacement Heifer Program.
The meeting will be at 6 p.m. in the University of Missouri (MU) Extension Center in Buchanan County, 4125 Mitchell Ave., said Jim Humphrey, livestock specialist, Savannah, Mo.
Recent Show-Me-Select auctions have brought premium prices for bred replacement heifers. There has not been an SMS sale in northwestern Missouri for several years.
The meeting will determine the interest in breeding-quality heifers and organizing a sale.
However, the program includes much more than a sale, Humphrey said. “Show-Me-Select teaches total quality management. The basics are genetics, especially on calving ease as a starter. But step-by-step protocols begin with prebreeding exams for heifers.”
“The sales get publicity, but the main value is in the home herds,” said David Patterson, MU Extension state beef reproduction specialist, Columbia. “Calving ease is a major attraction. But improved genetics also add gaining ability and other traits.”
With improved reproduction, producers can have more calves to sell.
“Repeat buyers pay more at Show-Me-Select sales when they learn the value of proven genetics and management,” Patterson said.
Sires used for SMS must rank higher than average in genetic accuracies.
Enrollment time is now, Humphrey said. The meeting will discuss management, genetics, sire selection and program requirements.
All livestock specialists in northwestern Missouri participate.
Besides Humphrey at Savannah, that includes Amie Schleicher at Rock Port and Shawn Deering at Albany. Information is at all MU Extension centers.
“We are committed to supporting you as beef producers. This includes working with you through the year-round program,” Humphrey said.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal’s Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
Rainwater Harvesting Program Set for Feb. 13 in Amarillo
The Rainwater Harvesting for Home Landscaping program will be conducted Feb. 13 by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office in Potter County.
“Rainwater harvesting is an innovative and efficient means of utilizing water,” said Nathan Carr, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent in Potter County. “This process collects rainwater, stores it and uses it when needed. It is extremely useful as it lessens the demand on existing water supplies and saves for times when it is needed.”
The program will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at noon in the Commercial Exhibit Building on the Tri-State Fairgrounds in Amarillo.
The fee is $15, payable at the door. Participants are requested to make a reservation by calling the AgriLife Extension office in Potter County at 806-373-0713.
The program will highlight the need and purpose of harvesting and collecting rainwater, rainwater harvest collection and storage systems for homes, equipment for rainwater harvest around houses and buildings, and equipment for home yard irrigation from harvested rainwater.
Billy Kniffen, retired AgriLife Extension specialist and noted rainwater-harvesting expert, will be the featured program speaker. He has educated audiences throughout the country on rainwater collection systems and utilization.
Kniffen resides in Menard, a town in the Texas Hill Country that annually receives about 20 inches of rain. He exclusively collects and uses rainwater for in-home use and exterior landscaping and gardening.
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.