News Update
June 26, 2014
American Royal Announces
Return of the Steak Competition Event
The American Royal Association announced June 24 that the third annual American Royal Steak Competition Winner will be announced at the 2014 Grapes & Steaks Competition Oct. 8, 2014. Beef producers from across the nation are invited to submit ribeye steaks to compete for the best tasting steak. A panel of experts will judge steaks.
“Two years ago marked the first time for this event at the American Royal,” says Bob Petersen, president and CEO of the American Royal. “Most traditional cooking contests are like the American Royal World Series of Barbecue® — they are mainly about preparation. This competition is about awarding America’s best steak.”
Each steak will be prepared in an identical manner at the Kansas State University (K-State) Olathe Campus. Points will be assigned for flavor, juiciness and texture. The judging will take place mid-September and the winners will be honored at the American Royal 2014 Grapes & Steaks Competition on Oct. 8.
Steaks are submitted frozen before August 29, to the K-State Olathe Campus and entry forms must be submitted online at www.americanroyal.com. There is no entry fee for this competition.
For further information, see www.americanroyal.com.
Soil Renaissance Plan a Framework to Advance Soil Health
Goals and strategies for advancing soil health were announced June 24 with the release of the Soil Renaissance Strategic Plan. The plan was released at the World Congress of Conservation Agriculture in Winnipeg, Man., Canada.
Developed with input from thought leaders working in production agriculture, agribusiness, the academic community, NGOs and government agencies, the Soil Renaissance Strategic Plan outlines goals and strategies in four key areas: measurement, economics, research and education.
“This Strategic Plan is a starting point that will evolve and expand as work is completed, new challenges are identified and more individuals and groups join the Soil Renaissance,” said Neil Conklin, president of Farm Foundation, NFP. Farm Foundation and the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation are leading the Soil Renaissance, but collaboration among diverse stakeholders will be key to its success.
“For the Soil Renaissance to meet its full potential, it will require multiple individuals and organizations,” says Noble Foundation President and CEO Bill Buckner. “Many groups already are working in specific areas of soil health. The Soil Renaissance is a central hub through which people can learn what’s now being done, gaps to be filled and ways they can help.”
The Soil Renaissance seeks to reawaken the public to the importance of soil health in vibrant, profitable and sustainable natural-resource systems. It seeks to make maintenance and improvement of soil health the cornerstone of land use management decisions. Without healthy soils, the task of feeding the world’s people becomes even more challenging. The initiative evolved from discussions by 25 leaders representing conventional and organic agriculture, science and research, land managers and policymakers about the best tools to advance soil health. Other stakeholders were then enlisted to help develop the Strategic Plan.
The first task of the Soil Renaissance team was to agree on a definition of soil health. After lengthy discussion, the team adopted the definition used by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS): The continued capacity of the soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals and humans.
Objectives and strategies have been outlined in each area. Details of the Strategic Plan are available now at the Farm Foundation website. The Soil Renaissance website, www.SoilRenaissance.org, will be live in early July, offering updates on Soil Renaissance work and collaborator projects. Anyone interested in contributing expertise or time to the work teams should contact Soil Health Project Coordinator Brook Gaskamp.
“Soil health is not a new concept or topic, but it has been taken for granted, even though it is fundamental to any agricultural production system — whether convention or organic, large or small,” Conklin said.
“The Soil Renaissance provides a connection for the vast community of soil health stakeholders,” Buckner added. “It is critical that producers — the people working directly with the land — be in close communication with researchers and policymakers to ensure that their challenges are recognized and our soils are protected and sustained for future generations.”
Advocates of healthy soils can join the Soil Renaissance by sharing information on work being done in their area or by local organizations, subscribing to a Soil Renaissance newsletter, or providing financial support. For more information, visit the website or contact Brook Gaskamp, soil health project coordinator, 580-223-5810, blgaskamp@noble.org.
Blaine Lotz Takes Title at LMA’s
51st World Livestock Auctioneer Championship
Blaine Lotz of Edna, Kan., proved his world-class talent as a livestock auctioneer at the 51st anniversary of the Livestock Marketing Association’s (LMA) World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC) in Knoxville, Iowa, Saturday, June 21.
As a third-generation auctioneer, the world champion was quite familiar with the livestock marketing industry. When he was 15, Lotz attended auctioneering school at Western College of Auctioneering in Billings, Mont., and later received his first full-time job as a livestock auctioneer at the age of 17.
Ultimately, Lotz’s favorite part of being a livestock auctioneer is working for consignors to maximize the value of their livestock, their livelihood.
Just a month shy of turning 21, Lotz notes that winning the WLAC is a huge accomplishment and something he has worked for for a lifetime. During his acceptance speech, Lotz said that he couldn’t wait to hit the road representing the LMA and livestock marketing industry.
Lotz was sponsored by South Coffeyville Stockyards, Inc., South Coffeyville, Okla.; Fredonia Livestock Auction, Fredonia, Kan.; and Tulsa Stockyards, Inc., Tulsa, Okla.
Also making a great showing were the reserve champion Preston Smith, Dodge City, Kan., and runner-up champion Brennin Jack, Prince Albert, Sask. Smith was sponsored by Winter Livestock, Inc., Dodge City, Kan., and Pratt Livestock, Pratt, Kan. Jack was sponsored by Heartland Livestock Services, Nilsson Brothers Inc. and Direct Livestock Marketing Systems.
The 2014 Audrey K. Banks “Rookie of the Year” Award winner was Justin Gattey, Consort, Alta., who was sponsored by Vold, Jones & Auction Co., Ltd., Ponoka, Alta.; Blair Vold, Ralph Vold, and Nansen Vold; and Viking Auction Market.
The seven remaining 2014 WLAC finalists Mitch Barthel, Perham, Minn.; Will Epperly, Dunlap, Iowa; Garrett Jones, Los Banos, Calif.; Brandon Neely, Southside, Ala.; Paul Ramirez, Tucson, Ariz.; Russele Sleep, Beford, Iowa; and Jason Santomaso, Sterling, Colo.
A special one-hour highlight show will be aired on RFD-TV June 30 at 8 p.m. EST.
The WLAC highlights the auctioneer’s crucial role in the competitive marketing of livestock. LMA hosts the contest each year to promote the auction method of selling livestock, which results in true price discovery of the value of all classes of livestock and sets the cash market for all other methods of selling.
This year’s 51st anniversary contest was hosted by Knoxville Regional Livestock Market in Knoxville, Iowa. Attendees had the opportunity to witness a great livestock sale that sold more than 4,000 head of cattle.
Seeking Missouri Women for Agriculture Awards
The Missouri State Fair is calling for entries from female agriculturalists interested in vying for the title of Missouri Woman in Agriculture, the second annual contest offered by the state fair. The title will be awarded in two age divisions, with each winner receiving a $1,000 donation from Monsanto for a nonprofit agriculture-related cause of her choice. Applications must be submitted to the State Fair by 5 p.m. Monday, July 7.
Women ages 31 and older are eligible for the Missouri Woman in Agriculture Award, and women ages 18-30 are eligible for the Missouri Woman in Agriculture Rising Star Award. Each winner will receive a plaque of acknowledgement for her contributions to the industry, and a $1,000 donation. A plaque will also be awarded to the runner-up in each age division, and certificates of acknowledgement will be given to all entrants.
The selection process will be based on several factors, including leadership roles in Missouri agriculture, endeavors to perpetuate the industry and examples of Missouri State Fair participation. Contest rules and application forms are available on the Missouri State Fair's website.
Contestants will be honored during the fair Thursday, Aug. 14, and special promotions this day will focus on women, including free gate admission for all women, “A Celebration of Women” trade show coordinated by the Missouri Travel Council, and the First Lady’s Pie Contest, with the deadline to enter this contest Aug. 1. The concert in the Pepsi Grandstand on Aug. 14 will be “An Evening with MercyMe.” Tickets to the concert are $20 and $25 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster or the Missouri State Fair Box Office.
The Missouri State Fair, themed, “Harvest the Fun!,” will take place Aug. 7-17 in Sedalia. For more information on contests and special promotions, visit www.mostatefair.com.
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