News Update
June 6, 2014
Cattlemen’s Capstone
Angus cattle producers have a unique stake in the Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) brand’s ongoing success beyond the farm gate. A new and interactive program, Cattlemen’s Capstone, kicks off July 16-17 with producers joining CAB chefs, meat scientists and marketing experts for an inside view of how the brand adds value to high-quality Angus cattle.
At the CAB Education & Culinary Center, participants will:
- • Break down a side of beef with industry-renowned meat scientist Phil Bass.
- • Learn about innovative beef cuts, specialty items and cooking techniques.
- • Go behind the scenes to see how the brand is marketed to consumers.
- • Learn about consumer loyalty to the brand.
Registration is free, including hotel accommodations for two nights and meals, but space is limited. Future seminars are planned as well. For information contact Marilyn Conley at 330-345-2333 ext. 398, email mconley@certifiedangusbeef.com.
USDA Announces Funding, Issues Federal Order to Combat PEDv
In response to the significant impact porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) and porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) are having on U.S. pork producers, the USDA announced June 5 $26.2 million in funding to combat these diseases. Additionally, USDA issued a federal order requiring the reporting of new detections of these viruses to its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) or state animal health officials.
These viruses do not pose any risk to human health or food safety, and they are commonly detected in countries around the world.
“In the last year, industry has estimated PEDv has killed some 7 million piglets and caused tremendous hardship for many American pork producers,” said Agriculture Secretary Vilsack. “The number of market-ready hogs this summer could fall by more than 10% relative to 2013 because of PEDv. Together with industry and our state partners, the steps we will take through the federal order will strengthen the response to PEDv and these other viruses and help us lessen the impact to producers, which ultimately benefit the consumers who have seen store pork prices rise by almost 10% in the past year.”
APHIS’ federal order requires producers, veterinarians and diagnostic laboratories to report all cases of PEDv and other new swine enteric coronavirus diseases to USDA and state animal health officials. The industry is already seeing herds previously impacted by the virus become re-infected, and routine and standard disease reporting will help identify the magnitude of the disease in the United States and can help determine whether additional actions are needed.
For full details of the federal order and program requirements, along with a Q&A on this topic, visit the APHIS website at www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-health/secd.
For more information, please view the full release here.
Full-Page Ad in USA Today Calls Out HSUS for Federal Racketeering Settlement
June 5, HumaneWatch.org, a project of the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom, is running a full-page ad in USA Today calling out the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and other co-defendants who last week settled a federal racketeering lawsuit brought by Feld Entertainment, parent company of Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus, for $15.75 million. The ad specifically focuses on HSUS and its CEO Wayne Pacelle, who were involved in an alleged illegal witness payment scheme to pursue malicious litigation against the circus.
The case originally stemmed from a complaint filed under the Endangered Species Act in 2000, alleging misconduct by Feld toward its Asian elephants. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ultimately ruled the case was “frivolous,” “vexatious,” and “groundless and unreasonable from its inception.” Another animal-rights organization — the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) — settled for an additional $9.3 million in December 2012.
The ad is viewable here.
Denton County Agricultural Law and Estate Planning Seminar Set June 26
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Denton County and the Denton County AgriLife Extension agriculture committee will hold an agricultural law and estate-planning seminar from 6 to 9 p.m. June 26 at the AgriLife Extension office, 401 W. Hickory, Suite 115, Denton.
Registration is $15 per person, and preregistration is required by June 23.
Tiffany Dowell, AgriLife Extension agricultural law specialist, and Wayne Hayenga, AgriLife Extension economist and professor emeritus, both of College Station, will cover estate planning, property leases, hunting leases, water and property rights, said Brandon Boughen, AgriLife Extension agent for Denton County.
“More than half the total acres in Denton County are considered in agricultural use, according to the Denton Central Appraisal District,” Boughen said. “Many of those acres are leased from absentee landowners. Negotiating a contract between parties is the best use of time and energy before the handshake; it simply points out each party’s responsibility.”
Boughen said it’s crucial that the lessor and the lessee come to an understanding of the appropriate stocking rate for a given property, and that the lease clearly outlines the condition of the grazing land, and when cattle can be introduced and when they must be removed.
“Estate planning is another area that most don’t want to think about right now,” he said. “We say we’ll get to it later but often wind up not doing anything. It is in your and your families’ best interest to tackle these issues now.”
For more information please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
Agriculture Business Planning Workshop Slated for June 28 in Belton
A free Agriculture Business Planning Workshop will be hosted from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. June 28 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office for Bell County, 1605 N. Main St., Belton, Texas.
The workshop is open to military veterans and active-duty military, small-landholder farmers and ranchers with and without disabilities, women interested in agribusiness, and beginning farmers and ranchers. It will be presented by AgriLife Extension, Texas AgrAbility Project, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and USDA Risk Management Agency.
Erin Pilosi, Texas AgrAbility coordinator for agriculture workshops for military veterans, College Station, said the workshop “will focus solely on creating an agricultural business plan.”
Pilosi said the Texas AgrAbility Project is administered by AgriLife Extension and focuses on connecting, assisting and empowering agricultural producers, their family members and employees with disabilities and chronic health conditions to stay engaged in production agriculture.
“While veterans and active duty military are our primary audience, we know other individuals, including beginning farmers and ranchers and women who want to become involved in agribusiness, can benefit too,” she said. “That’s why we have opened the program to them, as well.”
For more information please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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