News Update
April 14, 2014
New Website and Products
from Custom Cattle Tags
Cattle producers looking for affordable ways to identify their herd and collect data should visit the Custom Cattle Tags website, a service provided by the American Angus Association. Visit www.customcattletags.com to order ear tags, applicators, syringes and other accessories needed to manage cattle this spring.
Custom Cattle Tags provides high quality, customized ear tags for cattle producers across the nation, and recent updates to the website include a new look and several tags and syringes added to the line up.
“Our top priority is supplying cattlemen with affordable identification options that they can rely on,” says Ginette Kurtz, who manages the Custom Cattle Tags website. “It’s a simple way to order all your supplies in one place, at the best prices.”
New products available include the Allflex A Tag, which is a one-piece ear tag that comes in two sizes and nine different colors. A Tags can be ordered with preprinted numbers or left blank. In addition, Allflex bottle top syringes are now available on the website. The 25 cc and 50 cc repeater Allflex syringes are currently listed online.
Custom Cattle Tags also offers two-piece ear tags from Destron Fearing. Customized ear tags are available in four sizes and ten colors, and each tag can be customized through a user-friendly website, which allows producers to see a visual proof before placing the order.
“Our interactive website puts you in the driver’s seat from start to finish,” Kurtz says. “All tags must be approved prior to printing so that you are completely satisfied with the final product.”
Even with the wide array of customization options, tags ordered through Custom Cattle Tags remain affordable. For example, an extra large, two-piece tag with a management number and three lines of text on the front is priced at $1.10 per tag.
For more information, please view the full release here.
USDA Announces Funding to Train and Educate Next Generation of Farmers and Ranchers
On April 11, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the availability of more than $19 million in grants to help train, educate and enhance the sustainability of the next generation of agricultural producers through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP).
“USDA is committed to the next generation of America’s farmers and ranchers because they represent the future of agriculture and are the backbone of our rural economy. As the average age of farmers continues to rise, we have no time to lose in getting more new farmers and ranchers established.” said Secretary Vilsack. “Reauthorizing and expanding the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program is one of the many resources the 2014 Farm Bill gave us to build America’s agricultural future. Through this program, we can build a diverse next generation of farmers and ranchers.”
BFRDP is an education, training, technical assistance and outreach program designed to help farmers, ranchers and managers of non-industrial private forest land — specifically those aiming to start farming and those who have been farming or ranching for 10 or fewer years. It is managed by the National Institutes of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). NIFA will competitively award grants to organizations conducting programs to help beginning farmers and ranchers. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply (applications are due June 12, 2014).
Priority will be given to projects that are partnerships and collaborations led by or including non-governmental, community-based, or school-based agricultural educational organizations. All applicants are required to provide funds or in-kind support from non-federal sources in an amount that is at least equal to 25% of the federal funds requested.
For more information, please view the full release here.
Farm Bill Basics Meeting Set April 21 in Wichita Falls
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host a “Farm Bill Basics” meeting April 21 at the Region 9 Education Center, 301 Texas Loop 11 in Wichita Falls, according to David Graf, AgriLife Extension agent for Wichita County.
“Even though there is a lot of excitement since the farm bill was passed, it will take several months for USDA-FSA (Farm Service Agency) to interpret the changes in the new bill and be ready to implement it for producers,” Graf said.
There are, however, some significant segments of the new program in place and producers can learn about these at the meeting, he said. Then as final details are added, it should be much easier for producers to use the decision aids that will be available.
The event will begin with registration at 6 p.m., followed by the meal at 6:30 p.m. and the program at 7 p.m.
Opening the program will be Stan Bevers, AgriLife Extension economist from Vernon, and Caleb Pool, representative for U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry of Amarillo.
An overview of the Farm Bill will be given by James Richardson, co-director of the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University in College Station. Bevers will wrap up the evening with basics of the new forage program followed by questions and answers.
The cost is $10, including a meal, and preregistration to the AgriLife Extension office at 940-716-8610 is required for planning purposes. Those unable to attend can access the presentations via the Internet through the services of Region 9 by contacting the AgriLife Extension office, as well.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
‘Beefing Up Your Future’ to be Presented at K-State April 28
Looking to bridge the gap between agriculture and consumers, the Kansas State University (K-State) student organization, Food for Thought, presents the Upson Lecture Series Monday, April 28, at 7 p.m. This edition of the lecture series will host Kansas State University alumnus and entrepreneur Lee Borck. He will address the K-State and Manhattan communities in Frick Auditorium, located in Mosier Hall of the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Borck will focus his message on challenges facing young people today and how agriculture played a role in his success as an entrepreneur. “Beefing Up Your Future” will be free and open to the public.
A 1970 graduate of K-State, Borck earned a degree in agricultural economics. He has served as president of the Kansas Livestock Association and a member of the board of directors for the K-State Foundation. Along with his heavy involvement with K-State and agriculture, he also is in such business ventures as American State Bank in Great Bend, Kan.
Through his endeavors, Borck has come to understand the importance of hard work, building strong personal relationships and maintaining an entrepreneurial spirit. This lecture will focus on being successful in these three attributes, as well as the importance of agriculture in his career. His message relates to students, faculty and community members, whether they are striving for success in future careers or determining their next business ventures.
The Upson Lecture Series honors Dan Upson, who taught at K-State’s College of Veterinary medicine for 35 years before retiring in 1994.
For more information on Food for Thought visit: www.bloggingfoodforthought.blogspot.com or www.facebook.com/fftgroup.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
Farm Transition Workshop Slated for May 2 in Stillwater
A one-day workshop for family farmers and ranchers interested in learning about the components of a successful farm transition is set to take place May 2 in Stillwater.
“Managing Farm Transitions: Connecting Landowners, Farmers, and Families” will take place at the Wes Watkins Center for International Trade and Development on Oklahoma State University’s (OSU’s) main campus. The workshop will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 6 p.m.
Sessions will cover business and personal goal setting, financial analysis, human resources, family communications, estate planning, estate taxes and retirement planning.
“Research tells us that fewer than one-third of family businesses survive the transfer from one generation to the next,” said Shannon Ferrell, associate professor of agricultural economics at OSU. “These workshops will help farmers and ranchers keep their families farming together.”
This workshop is hosted by Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service with funding from the USDA Risk Management Agency through the Southern Risk Management Education Center, and sponsored by Farm Credit of East Central Oklahoma. The cost for attendees is $25 for a family of four and includes lunch, refreshments and two farm transition workbooks. Additional registrations are $10 per person. Registration deadline is April 28. To register, contact Kareta Casey at 405-744-9836 or via email at kareta.casey@okstate.edu.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal 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.