News Update
March 10, 2014
Angus Foundation Selects
2014 YCC Representative
The Angus Foundation has chosen Julie Ellingson of Saint Anthony, N.D., to represent the American Angus Association and the Angus Foundation at the 2014 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Young Cattlemen’s Conference (YCC).
The Angus Foundation will sponsor Ellingson’s registration and travel expenses. This is the 12th year the Angus Foundation has funded an Association member to attend YCC, which will take place May 29-June 5.
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. To qualify for participation, a man or woman must be nominated by one of NCBA’s affiliate members, be between the ages of 25 and 50, and be an NCBA member.
“Sponsoring an Angus representative to YCC annually is a wise investment that benefits all of us involved in the Angus breed and beef cattle industry,” says Milford Jenkins, Angus Foundation president. “These types of educational programs are invaluable as they enable producers to broaden their knowledge and equip them with the tools to become better leaders, communicators and advocates for the future of our industry.”
A third-generation Angus rancher, Ellingson has been involved with the breed for many years. She was an active member of the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA), has served on the board of directors for the North Dakota Angus Association (NDAA) and has participated in many events through the American Angus Association. Recently, Ellingson has participated on numerous NDAA planning committees helping to establish educational opportunities for Angus producers. She has also been honored twice with the NDAA President’s Award.
For more information, please view the full release here.
USDA Announces Efforts to Expand Support
for Small and Mid-Sized Farmers and Ranchers
In remarks at the National Farmers Union National Convention March 10, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced new and expanded efforts to connect small- and mid-sized farmers and ranchers with USDA resources that can help them build stronger businesses, expand to reach new and larger markets, and grow their operations.
“The recent Census of Agriculture shows that there is tremendous growth potential for small and mid-sized producers in the American agricultural landscape,” said Vilsack. “USDA is taking a hard look at our existing resources to ensure that they work for producers of all sizes. We’ve adjusted policies, strengthened programs and intensified outreach to meet the needs of small and mid-sized producers. These producers are critical to our country’s agricultural and economic future.”
Efforts include improved access to USDA resources, revised risk-management tools that better fit the needs of smaller producers, additional support for hoop houses, and expanded collection of valuable market news information. USDA is also introducing a series of education tools focusing on opportunities for farmers engaged in local and regional food systems. In addition, USDA field staff will be boosting their outreach efforts to small and mid-sized farmers and ranchers.
More information about tools and resources available to small and mid-sized farmers will be rolled out in the coming months, including information about access to capital, risk management, food safety, and locating market opportunities on USDA’s Small and Mid-Sized Farmer Resources webpage.
For more information, please view the full release here.
Legislation Introduced to Prevent EPA
from Releasing Producer Information
United States Reps. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.), Lee Terry (R-Neb.), Mike McIntyre (D-NC) and Jim Costa (D-Cal.) introduced legislation March 6 to prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from disclosing the private and confidential information of livestock and poultry producers to the public.
The Farmer Identity Protection Act (H.R. 4157) comes in response to the EPA’s release of livestock and poultry producers’ names and other personal information to three radical environmental groups through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request in February and again in April 2013. The release divulged names, addresses, geographic coordinates and, in some cases, telephone numbers and email addresses of more than 80,000 producers in 29 states. EPA has plans to release information on thousands more farmers and ranchers in the future.
“There is no justification for the blatant disregard of our privacy,” said NCBA President Bob McCan. “To turn this type of information over to anyone who has a computer is not just reckless, but it poses serious agro-terrorism threats.”
EPA claims it lacks statutory authority to protect livestock producers’ personal information. The Farmer Identity Protection Act would unequivocally provide the agency with the ability to prevent such farm-specific releases from happening in the future, allowing the agency to provide information to outside parties only in aggregate without individual identifying information, or with the producer’s consent.
“Once this information is released, you cannot take it back,” said McCan. “With EPA planning to release more information as soon as it is able, Congress must step in and provide relief to livestock producers. We applaud the representatives that have introduced this bill to help protect the health and safety of cattle producers and their families.”
For more information, please view the full release here.
Nevada Cooperative Extension Offers
Ag Producers Workshops on Dealing with Drought
With the 2014 drought looming, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension is offering workshops across the state this month and next to give Nevada agricultural producers, particularly alfalfa and grass hay producers, information to help them prepare for the drought. Topics will include water availability, recommended irrigation practices, insurance options and an outlook on prices. The first workshop will be March 20.
“There are things producers can do in terms of irrigation methods and scheduling to maximize their crops under these conditions,” said Cooperative Extension’s Jay Davison, an alternative crops specialist who conducts research related to irrigation efficiency, as well as alternative crops that use less water.
Davison will discuss soil texture, water-holding capacity, irrigation scheduling, the relationship between evapotranspiration and crop yield, how to determine evapotranspiration in the field, plant response to drought, and irrigation strategies that result in maximum yields under conditions of limited irrigation water.
In addition, Cooperative Extension’s Staci Emm, Mineral County Extension educator, will provide an overview of risk management crop insurance programs for agriculture producers. Agriculture Economist Mike Helmar, from the University’s Center for Economic Development at the College of Business, will provide an outlook on alfalfa and grass hay prices. Finally, local irrigation district officials and others will provide information on water availability, including irrigation updates.
The workshops will take place March 20 at 6 p.m. in Fallon; April 1 at 1 p.m. in Eureka; April 14 at 1 p.m. in Schurz; April 14 at 6 p.m. in Yerington; and April 29 at 6 p.m. in Minden.
Those attending are encouraged to preregister by calling 775-945-3444, ext. 12 or emailing kintzj@unce.unr.edu to ensure ample space and educational materials are available.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal’s Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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