News Update
August 5, 2014
Increase Your Chances to Win
a Yamaha Viking VI by Sept. 5
The first-ever Angus Means Business National Convention & Trade Show is an event for the entire beef cattle business — from seedstock breeders to commercial cattlemen and feedlot managers to packers. Hosted in the heart of cattle country, the event takes place Nov. 4-6 in Kansas City, Mo.
The American Angus Association encourages anyone with an interest in the future of the cattle industry to register today for the low price of $25. That registration fee guarantees a chance to win the Yamaha Viking VI — an all-new six-person, side-by-side vehicle. Anyone who registers prior to the extended Sept. 5 deadline will receive three chances to win per registration, while those following that date receive one chance per registration.
“The early-bird $25 registration fee is a tremendous value for those who want to attend the National Angus Convention,” says Becky Terry, Creative Media director for Angus Productions Inc. “Our goal is to bring together stakeholders from across the industry to discuss the future of the cattle business moving forward.”
As part of registration in the inaugural event, participants receive:
- • Access to Angus University, a comprehensive educational event, which includes a day of programs and lunch;
- • Nationally known entertainers, including cowboy comedian Baxter Black;
- • A slate of acclaimed speakers, such as Richard Picciotto — the highest-ranking firefighter to survive the World Trade Center collapse — and economic futurist Lowell Catlett;
- • A chance to win a Yamaha Viking VI, a brand-new side-by-side vehicle, and other prizes;
- • Two evening galas on the Trade Show floor, featuring nearly 100 allied industry partners and top-notch entertainment; and
- • The opportunity to connect with seedstock and commercial cattlemen from across the nation.
The early-bird $25 registration fee stands until Oct. 1, after which prices increase to $50 per person. To see if they have won the Yamaha Viking VI, attendees are encouraged to stay until the drawing takes place at 1 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 6, on the trade show floor.
The 2015 Viking VI has a suggested retail value of $13,599 and combines Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A performance and durability with the comfort and convenience of a Viking — now with maximum headroom, legroom and shoulder room for six occupants.
The 2014 Angus Means Business National Convention & Trade Show takes place at the KCI Expo Center, located just a short distance from Kansas City International Airport. The event includes Association business meetings and board elections, as well as breeder workshops and the all-day Angus University. In addition, the trade show will feature products and services from nearly 100 companies, and include two evening galas with live music and entertainment.
For more information about the event or to get registered, visit www.angusconvention.com.
For more information, please view the full release here.
NFU Says Consumers Have a Right
To Know Where Their Food Comes From
National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson continued the fight for America’s consumers, ranchers and farmers in a guest column in the Aug. 5 issue of The Hill explaining why multinational meat packers and foreign trade competitors need to let common sense prevail and support America’s country-of-origin labeling (COOL) law.
“Nobody seemed to care where their pet treats came from until dogs started dropping dead from eating tainted food from China,” notes Johnson. “When it was all over, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had received 5,600 complaints from consumers about their pets getting sick and, sadly, about 1,000 of them perished.”
Johnson points out that Congress understood that consumers have a right to know where their pet food, and their own food, comes from and in 2008 passed a law known as COOL. “In short, COOL says that muscle cuts of meat, and some fruits and vegetables, must be labeled with the country’s name where it was produced.”
COOL doesn’t restrict imports; it simply gives grocery shoppers information to make purchasing decisions that are right for their families. “If a family prefers Vietnamese catfish or Mexican meatloaf, there will be available options. If not, the family can choose locally grown U.S. alternatives,” he notes.
A May 2013 public opinion poll showed more than 90% of consumers support COOL. Johnson notes just last week “consumer advocates prevailed when the District Court of Appeals handed multinational meat packers a stinging defeat. By a 9-2 majority, the panel upheld an earlier court ruling to deny a request to halt enforcement of the law.”
Foreign countries and their big business partners are encouraging international courts at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to intervene. “The same WTO that helped facilitate lopsided trade deals and outsource U.S. manufacturing jobs will soon rule on what information U.S. grocery shoppers can receive,” he notes.
For more information, please view the full release here.
NMSU to Host Ranchers’ Roundtable Aug. 20 in Corona
The New Mexico State University (NMSU) Corona Range and Livestock Research Center is continuing its popular Ranchers’ Roundtable series with a group discussion on livestock nutrition and planning on Wednesday, Aug. 20. The free event is from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Southwest Center for Rangeland Sustainability. Lunch will be served. For directions to the center and more information on the seminar, visit http://corona.nmsu.edu/.
“The goal of the Ranchers’ Roundtable is for people to come and have a conversation about different topics that are important to them,” said Shad Cox, Corona ranch manager. “There is no lecture. Each speaker gives an introduction, but it is really the attendees who lead the program with the questions they need answered. The ranchers do not leave until they have all their questions answered.”
Speakers, who will be present to discuss various points of interest on livestock nutrition and planning, will include Marcy Ward, NMSU Extension livestock specialist; and representatives of AC Nutrition and Purina, and Kent Mills from Hi-Pro Feeds.
“The premise of the Southwest Center for Rangeland Sustainability is to provide a venue to bring the community and experts within the state together for more intimate discussions on different subjects that are important to the agricultural community,” said Eric Scholljegerdes, NMSU assistant professor and beef cattle nutritionist, who will serve as roundtable moderator. “It is our hope that this roundtable will provide participants the opportunity to discuss nutritional concerns and go home with a nutritional plan for this fall and winter. In particular, how will the recent rains impact nutrition of the cow herd and nutrition programs for replacement heifers,” Scholljegerdes said.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
Minnesota Farmfest, Nation’s Third-largest Farm Show Kicks off Aug. 5 in Redwood Falls, Minn.
Broken blue skies and seasonal morning temperatures greeted farmers Aug. 5 as they converged on Redwood Falls, Minn., for the opening day of the nation’s third-largest outdoor agricultural exposition — IDEAg’s Minnesota Farmfest.
With this summer’s crops prospering all around the farm show grounds, organizers were expecting overflow crowds at what has become one of the nation’s most rapidly growing shows.
“Crops look exceptional this year as far as the eye can see, so there is a lot of optimism across farm country,” said Dan Durheim, general manager of IDEAg Events. “There is going to be a lot of grain moving during harvest this fall, and that means the need for more and upgraded equipment. Exhibitors are looking forward to an outstanding show and farmers are looking for good deals.”
Minnesota Farmfest was recently named the nation’s third-largest outdoor farm show, and, according to Farmfest Show Director Raymond Bianchi, that distinction is indicative of the exceptional farmer-to-vendor relationships the show has become famous for over the years.
“We are located in the heart of farm country and it’s fitting that this show has become one of the leading shows in the nation,” Bianchi said. “We have even brighter expectations for the future as we continue to build on the hallmarks of Farmfest — great vendors, quality programming, exceptional speakers and, of course, farmers looking for the best and most innovative equipment at their disposal.”
This year’s show includes political candidates’ forums for the offices of Minnesota governor, U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, as well as conferences on farm program decisions, the latest in agricultural technology and agricultural careers. American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman will deliver a speech to showgoers Aug. 5, as well.
IDEAg Group, LLC, which owns, manages and produces Minnesota Farmfest, is wholly owned by the American Farm Bureau Federation.
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