News Update
July 9, 2014
2014 NJAS Cattle Show Coverage
This week, more than 1,600 head of cattle are expected to walk through the showring at the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS). Today, July 9, the cattle show kicks off with bred-and-owned (B&O) heifers at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Ind. Angus enthusiasts who are not at the NJAS can catch live coverage of the show online through Walton Webcasting.
“We’ve been busy with educational events the last couple of days, and we’re excited to start showring competition today,” says Jaclyn Upperman, American Angus Association director of events and education, “Junior members have been preparing all summer for this show, and we can’t wait to see them compete.”
Throughout the week, the cattle shows will feature steers, B&O cow-calf pairs, owned cow-calf pairs, B&O bulls, B&O best five head, owned heifers and the 48th Annual NJAS Showmanship competition.
Dan Shike, Sadorus, Ill., will select champions in the owned heifer division. Judging B&O heifers, cow-calf pairs, and B&O bulls will be Tyler Cates, Modoc, Ind. Steers will be evaluated by Brad Winegardner, Lima, Ohio. States will also compete for the best five head, while individual members will vie for Junior Premier Breeder and the Silver Pitcher Award. This year’s showmanship judges are Mary Greiman, Garner, Iowa; Rachel Cutrer, Wharton, Texas; and Deanna Hofing, Coatesville, Ind.
For more news and information from the 2014 NJAS, visit www.angus.org to find contest results, awards, scholarships and show photos. Backdrop and candid photos will be available for purchase online. Coverage is also available on the NJAA Facebook page, as well.
Also, plan to tune in to a special NJAS episode of The Angus Report at 7:30 a.m. (central) Monday, July 21, on RFD-TV.
Registration Open for 2014 Cattle Industry Summer Conference
Bob McCan, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) president, said if cattlemen and women want a seat at the table and involvement in shaping the future of the beef industry, attendance at the Cattle Industry Summer Conference is a must. The conference features meetings of the NCBA, Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion & Research Board (CBB), American National CattleWomen Inc. and National Cattlemen’s Foundation.
McCan said the event, hosted in Denver, Colo., July 30-Aug. 2, gives cattlemen and women an opportunity to engage in NCBA’s grassroots policy process, as well as network with producers from across the country. Cattle producers will discuss current issues as a group, work on programs and initiatives, and set the course the industry should take with various projects for the betterment of the beef cattle industry.
“The beef industry faces unique challenges year-round and most alarming is the burdensome, overreaching regulation we have seen from the Beltway,” said McCan. “In order to continue being successful, cattle producers must continue to be engaged in the policy process so that the beef industry remains viable and beef continues to be on kitchen tables around the country and the world.”
Registration for the 2014 Cattle Industry Summer Conference is now available online at www.beefusa.org. Preregistration closes July 13, and attendees are encouraged to register in advance for the conference to take advantage of savings over the on-site registration prices. Registration prices will be higher on-site and tickets for events will be sold on a space available basis.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
Governor Jay Nixon Sides Against
Family Farmers and Ranchers
According to Missouri Cattlemen’s Association (MCA) President Jim McCann, Governor Jay Nixon made the decision July 8 to stand against family farmers and ranchers by vetoing bipartisan legislation H.B. 1326 and S.B. 506, which are known as farm bills. McCann said the two bills were supported by 13 agricultural organizations that represent tens of thousands of family farmers and small businesses.
“Governor Jay Nixon once again turned his back on farmers and ranchers with another veto of agricultural legislation,” said McCann. “Agriculture is the steam engine of Missouri’s economy, generating more than 12 billion dollars and thousands of jobs. One would think the governor would do everything within his power to support legislation that empowers Missouri’s farmers and ranchers. The veto did the opposite.”
McCann said H.B. 1326 and S.B. 506 include issues extremely important to Missouri cattlemen. These bills include increasing hauling limits for livestock on Missouri highways; extending the equine liability waiver to all livestock; enabling Missouri cattle producers the opportunity to vote whether or not to increase their investment in the Missouri beef checkoff; and enacting the Missouri Dairy Revitalization Act.
McCann said the two bills would do a lot for every segment of Missouri agriculture.
“More than a dozen agricultural organizations across the state banded together to show support for these bills and to spread awareness of the importance they held for the state of Missouri,” said McCann. “These organizations were eager to have the support of the governor. Nixon has decided to disregard the value these bills hold for all of Missouri. We are utterly disappointed with the governor’s veto. It’s a shame the governor essentially ignored Missouri agriculture.”
McCann said MCA will be working with the state legislature to explore next steps.
NFU President Urges Congress, EPA to Stay Course on RFS
National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson spoke July 8 at a briefing at the U.S. House of Representatives on the importance of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The briefing was hosted by Fuels America in cooperation with Reps. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa), and Lee Terry (R-Neb).
“It is crucial that Congress not change the RFS and for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to improve the 2014 RFS targets in order to provide certainty for farmers and the ethanol industry,” said Johnson.
“EPA was originally going to finalize its 2014 Renewable Volume Obligation in June but is now moving the date until September,” Johnson continued. “NFU has strongly encouraged EPA to fix its flawed proposal. EPA needs to begin to align itself with rural America. It will be difficult to build trust in the countryside if EPA does not greatly improve the 2014 RFS targets.”
“The RFS drives economic growth in rural America and supports around 300,000 direct jobs nationwide,” said Johnson. “A stable RFS will help to develop the next generation of biofuels and provide new market opportunities for farmers, while simultaneously providing significant climate, environmental and national security benefits.”
Other panelists included Brooke Coleman, executive director, Advanced Ethanol Council; Doug Bervin, vice president of corporate affairs, POET; Josh Nasser, legislative director, United Auto Workers; and Geoff Cooper, senior vice president, Renewable Fuels Association.
AgriLife Extension Sets Range Program in Sterling County
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will conduct a range management program beginning at 9 a.m. July 29 at the Sterling County Community Center just east of the courthouse in Sterling City.
“It looks as if the years-long drought is taking a break in our area, so we’ve planned this program to discuss proper management of the grass we now have growing,” said Chad Coburn, AgriLife Extension agent in Sterling County.
“We’ve asked Morgan Russell, AgriLife Extension range specialist at San Angelo, to discuss pasture revitalization tips in terms of plant vigor and to offer some grazing management recommendations on how to properly stock before, during and after a drought.
“As with any good range-management plan, wildfire mitigation work needs to be considered,” Coburn said. “To that end, she’ll discuss keeping fencelines and firebreaks clear and share her thoughts on the proper forage fuel amounts needed for a successful prescribed burn. And finally, she’ll share how to best use grazing animals to meet wildfire mitigation objectives.”
Two Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be available.
Individual registration is $10, due upon arrival.
For more information, contact Coburn at 325-378-3181.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
Beef Industry Sustainability Assessment Moves to Phase 2; Survey Deadline is Aug. 1, 2014
South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association (SDCA) is working with the beef checkoff to encourage producers to complete a brief survey about their cattle operations. This survey will assist the industry’s checkoff funded efforts to assess the sustainability of beef production.
The first phase of the Beef Industry Sustainability Assessment relied on data from the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) in Clay Center, Neb., as part of an ongoing effort to counter negative perceptions about beef production and its impacts. The results were recently certified by NSF International, lending credible, third-party verification to the study, helping to prove that beef is sustainable. With the completion and certification of this work, beef producers are better positioned to lead conversations with our stakeholders and consumers.
Phase two of the assessment will incorporate regional data from the producer surveys currently being conducted. By looking at regional practices and incorporating that information into the study, the research will be more representative and the industry will be better able to tell the beef story through sound science.
To accomplish this, your help is needed!
Both surveys will maintain confidentiality and results will not be traceable to individual operations. To facilitate progress on the assessment, you are asked to respond to the survey by no later than Aug. 1, 2014.
Editor’s Note: The beef industry sustainability assessment is not an attempt to force a change in practices or advocate a one-size-fits-all approach to beef production. Rather, this is the industry-led initiative to prove and showcase beef’s improved sustainability over time. If you are interested in learning more about this Beef Checkoff Research Program please visit www.beefresearch.org. Thank you for your help in this important project for the beef industry.
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