News Update
June 10, 2014
Casey Jentz Joins the
American Angus Association
The American Angus Association welcomes Casey Jentz of Belleville, Wis., as the new regional manager for Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. Jentz has been involved with Angus cattle for many years, including leadership roles through the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA). In his new position, Jentz will help Association members identify herd goals, learn new programs and services, and grow into the future.
“The Angus breed is more than a breed of cattle, it’s a community,” Jentz says. “It is a privilege to serve our members as a regional manager. I’m eager to get started and become better acquainted with cattlemen in my area.”
As a regional manager, Jentz will represent the Angus breed at various cattle events, sales, shows and other activities throughout the territory. Breeders are encouraged to ask him questions about Association programs and services, or for help locating Angus seedstock. He can also advise producers on marketing opportunities available through the Association, including advertising through the Angus Journal and other avenues.
“Because of his proven experience and enthusiasm for the Angus breed, Casey will be an excellent regional manager for Angus breeders and their customers,” says Bryce Schumann, Association CEO. “We look forward to his future accomplishments in the territory.”
A native of Fennimore, Wis., Jentz is a May 2006 graduate from the University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW) with a bachelor’s degree in animal science. While in college, Jentz was vice chairman of the NJAA Board of Directors and served as club president of Saddle and Sirloin at UW.
He grew up on his family’s registered Angus cattle operation, Lone Willow Acres, and most recently was herd manager of Markhardt Land and Cattle. He has also previously served as a beef territory manager for Animart, an animal health company.
Contact Jentz at cjentz@angus.org or at 608-234-1998. He looks forward to getting to know more Angus breeders in the area and finding ways to be of service.
DOT Exempts Livestock from Hours of Service Requirement
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) granted June 6 a one-year exemption to the Hours-of-Service requirement for the transportation of livestock. The Hours-of-Service rules require all commercial motor vehicle operators, including livestock transporters, to take a 30-minute rest-break for every eight hours of service. This is in addition to all scheduled stops, not counting time for refueling and other breaks.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President and Victoria, Texas, cattleman Bob McCan said the move alleviates many of the concerns of cattlemen and women as they face warmer temperatures this summer.
“This is great news for livestock producers and for the health of our herds,” said McCan. “As we come into summer, cattle producers have expressed concerns to the DOT that these rules would jeopardize the health and safety of our cattle. For over a year this has been a major priority for the NCBA and our members, but we will continue to urge DOT to make this exemption permanent. This exemption is a commonsense move that keeps our herds and our nation’s highways safe.”
The hours of service exemption will be effective immediately. More information can be found on the DOT website here.
USDA Announces Funding Availability for Turning Biomass Material into Energy
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced June 9 that the USDA will begin accepting applications June 16 from energy facilities interested in receiving forest or agricultural residues to generate clean energy. The support comes through the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), which was authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.
BCAP provides financial assistance to farmers and ranchers who establish and maintain new crops of energy biomass or who harvest and deliver forest or agricultural residues to a qualifying energy facility. Of the total $25 million per year authorized for BCAP, the 2014 Farm Bill provides up to 50% ($12.5 million) each year for matching payments for the harvest and transportation of biomass residues. BCAP matching payments will resume this summer, while crop incentives will begin in 2015. Some matching payments will support the removal of dead or diseased trees from National Forests and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public lands. This will be turned into renewable energy, while reducing the risk of forest fire. Agriculture residues, such as corn cobs and stalks, also may qualify as energy-producing feedstock.
“Removing dead or diseased trees from forests to use for biomass production creates clean energy, while reducing the threat of forest fires and the spread of harmful insects and disease,” said Vilsack. “Increasing our country’s production of biomass energy also helps grow our economy. Food is made in rural America, but fuel is made in rural America, too. This program is yet another USDA investment in expanding markets for agricultural products made in rural places across the country.”
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), which administers BCAP, will begin accepting applications from biomass conversion facilities beginning June 16, 2014, through July 14, 2014. Information on funding availability can be found in the Federal Register notice at www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2014-13617_PI.pdf. For more details on applications and deadlines on BCAP, visit a local FSA county office or go online to www.fsa.usda.gov/bcap.
For more information, please view the full release here.
Are You America’s Top Stocker Operator?
BEEF magazine and Zoetis are looking for America’s top stocker operator for 2014, with the winner earning more than $3,000 in prizes and compensation.
In 2006, BEEF magazine launched the National Stocker Award. The program is designed to highlight the important role of the stocker sector in U.S. beef production and provide information on proven and profitable management tips and programs.
The winner of the 2014 National Stocker Award will win $2,000 in Zoetis products, a cover story in the October issue of BEEF magazine and a trip to the 2015 Cattle Industry Convention in San Antonio, Texas, in February. Nominations close June 15, 2014.
Learn more about the program and past winners here.
Access the entry form, rules and regulations here. If you have any questions, please contact Wes Ishmael at 817-249-4545 or wesleysink@aol.com or Joe Roybal at 952-851-4669 or joe.roybal@penton.com.
NMSU Presents Summer Ranching Series at Valles Caldera National Preserve
New Mexico State University (NMSU) and the Valles Caldera National Preserve are teaming up to host a summer education series focused on livestock, wildlife and wildfire. Experts from NMSU Cooperative Extension Service will provide six workshops throughout the summer.
NMSU Extension specialists Nick Ashcroft, Jerry Hawkes, Marcy Ward and John Wenzel will be able to answer questions and provide greater insights on these issues. Also, don’t miss an opportunity to see trophy elk before the rut through Sam Smallidge’s looking glass. Finally, take a tour of the national preserve with an eye out on how forests, fire and management interact on the landscape.
The series includes:
- June 16 — Cattle Health
- July 10 — Fire on the Mountain
- July 23 — Marketing Objectives and Outcomes in the Beef Cattle Industry
- July 30 — Reproduction Management of Beef Cows and Heifers
- Aug. 13 — Glassing and Field Judging Big Game Animals
- Sept. 9 — Range Monitoring and Assessment
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.