News Update
July 7, 2014
Stay Connected with the 2014 NJAS
Angus juniors and their families are gathering in Indianapolis, Ind., this week for the 2014 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. The festivities begin Monday, July 7, and continue through Saturday, July 12. The six-day event is full of cattle shows, showmanship competitions and a variety of educational contests.
Those attending the NJAS, or those keeping up with results at home, can stay up-to-date with the latest show news and information using the following resources.
- Access the show results website, using a computer or cell phone.
- Watch live coverage, brought to you by Walton Webcasting.
- Download the Angus Mobile app on any smartphone.
- Join Angus on the National Junior Angus (NJAA) Facebook and Twitter page for instant updates.
- Watch video segments from the day on the Angus TV channel on YouTube.
- Visit www.angus.org.
- Photos from the event can also be purchased online.
NJAS Cattle Shows
More than 1,600 head of cattle are expected to walk through the NJAS showring this week. The cattle shows kick off 8 a.m. EST Wednesday, July 9, with bred-and-owned heifers. Throughout the week the cattle show will feature steers, bred-and-owned (B&O) cow-calf pairs, owned cow-calf pairs, B&O bulls, B&O best five head and owned heifers.
States will also compete for the best five head, while individual members vie for Junior Premier Breeder and the Silver Pitcher Award.
NJAS Showmanship Contest
The 48th Annual NJAS Showmanship Contest preliminaries begin Thursday, July 10. Two junior Angus members from each state will be given the opportunity to compete for the title of “Top Showman.” This year’s judges are: Deanna Hofing, Coatesville, Ind.; Rachel Cutrer, Wharton, Texas; and Mary Greiman, Garner, Iowa. Finals will take place at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 12.
Educational Contests
Outside of the showring, hundreds of junior members will participate in more than a dozen educational contests including prepared and extemporaneous public speaking, career development, graphic design, writing, photography, livestock judging, video and poster competitions.
In addition each state can enter a team in the quiz bowl, team sales and fitting contests, as well as the American Angus Auxiliary-sponsored All-American Certified Angus Beef® Cook-Off, herdsmanship and scrapbook contests.
For more information on NJAS events, visit www.angus.org. Backdrop and candid photos will be available for purchase online. Also, plan to tune in to a special NJAS episode of The Angus Report at 7:30 a.m. CST Monday, July 21 on RFD-TV.
National Junior Angus Show Online Sale
The National Junior Angus Show online sale features showring and youth-centered Angus genetics at www.angusauctions.com. All lots will close at the same time this Friday, July 12, at 6 p.m. CDT. Bidding will be extended if a bid is placed on any lot near the closing time. The extension time can be found on the lot details page.
Nebraska Manure Demonstration Day July 29 at Lexington
Livestock and crop producers, custom applicators, consultants, and others interested in learning more about the efficient utilization of manure are encouraged to attend the 2014 Nebraska Manure Demonstration Day July 29 at Lexington.
Manure Demonstration Day will be at the Dawson County Fairgrounds, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is sponsored by University of Nebraska Extension and numerous agri-business groups and Nebraska commodity organizations.
The event will focus on the needs of the manure industry in Nebraska. Participants can view demonstrations of the latest manure-handling equipment and learn from experts about new developments in manure management and handling.
Educational topics include porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv), mortality composting, composted manures, using manure on crops, and soil health following manure application.
Educational events will include opportunities for CCA Credits and Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality Land Application Training Recertification.
For more information about the 2014 Nebraska Manure Demonstration Day visit http://go.unl.edu/nemanuredemo.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
USDA Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden to Travel to China
The USDA announced July 3, that Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden will travel to Beijing and Guangzhou, China, July 7-12.
While in China the deputy secretary will lead the USDA delegation at the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue. The Dialogue will bring together high-level officials and discuss the challenges and opportunities that both countries face on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global areas of immediate and long-term economic and strategic interest. Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of the Treasury Jacob Lew will lead the U.S. delegation.
Along with participating in the Strategic and Economic Dialogue, Harden will have additional meetings with high-level Chinese officials while in Beijing. In Guangzhou she will meet with Chinese importers of American agricultural products and visit facilities that handle American products, including a soybean crushing facility and a denim factory.
USDA to Invest in Red River Basin Conservation Effort
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson announced July 2 targeted conservation funding of up to $50 million over the next five years in the Red River of the North Basin to minimize flooding, boost soil health, improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitat in the watershed. Vilsack and Peterson were joined by Senators Amy Klobuchar, John Hoeven, Heidi Heitkamp and Representative Kevin Cramer at a press conference in Moorhead, Minn., to make the announcement.
“The Red River Basin is a mosaic of farmlands, grasslands, forests and wetlands with a unique set of conservation challenges. This Farm Bill funding will help us work with local partners to implement water retention projects to help reduce flooding and mitigate the damage repeated flooding creates,” Vilsack said. “Along with better protection from flooding, these conservation efforts can help provide improved farming and ranching opportunities, cleaner water, and homes for a variety of wildlife. This will help boost the region’s economy in a number of areas, including in agriculture, hunting and fishing, and other outdoor recreation.”
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will focus a number of existing conservation program tools to work with local water districts and other local partners to support water retention projects and other conservation efforts in the 25 million-acre Red River watershed in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. The Red River of the North Basin is highly prone to flooding and other challenges, and repeated flooding has created unique challenges for maintaining soil and water health in the region. This new effort will provide more support and additional flexibility for regional conservation stakeholders.
“We are using the full set of tools in the conservation toolbox to affect positive change in this area,” Vilsack added. “Our science-based conservation programs have a proven track record of supporting agricultural business, rural economies and improving sustainability across the county.”
Applications for these programs are accepted at local USDA service centers on a continuous basis. To learn about technical and financial assistance available through conservation programs, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted or a local USDA service center.
For more information, please view the full release 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.