News Update
August 15, 2014
2015 Angus Foundation Heifer Announced
In generous support to the Angus Foundation and its mission, 44 Farms of Cameron, Texas, has selected an elite female, 44 Ruby 3839, for the 2015 Angus Foundation Heifer Sale at the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) in Denver, Colo. The fundraiser takes place Jan. 14, 2015, at the Beef Palace Auction Arena during the NWSS and will benefit the Angus Foundation’s efforts to support education, youth and research.
“44 Farms’ commitment of the elite Angus female, Ruby 3839, to headline our 2015 Angus Foundation Heifer Package is exciting for the Angus Foundation,” says Milford Jenkins, Angus Foundation president. “Bob and Dana McClaren are long-time supporters, and we are humbled to benefit from their continued philanthropy and support of our organization.”
The chosen female, 44 Ruby 3839 (AAA Registration No. 17682470) was born Nov. 20, 2013 and is a top selection of the fall yearlings from 44 Farms’ program. She combines the proven multi-trait sire and breed’s No. 3 dollar-beef ($B) proven sire, Ten X, with a second-generation 44 Farms, Ruby, Ruby X821.
Ruby 3839 currently ranks No. 57 among all non-parent females in the breed for $B and places among top 1% of non-parent females for yearling weight, marbling, feedlot value, grid value, quality grade value and $B, while also placing among the top 3% for weaning weight, the top 10% for weaned calf value and the top 15% for rib eye area.
Maternal sisters to the dam of this great donor prospect headlined the 44 Farm’s 2013 sale including: Ruby 2225, the $51,000 selection of Pine View Farms; Ruby 2355, the $26,000 selection of Greenwood Farms; and Ruby 2428 selected by Pollard Farms for $23,000.
Breeding information, once confirmed, will be posted to the website, www.angusfoudation.org. Please contact Doug Slattery, 44 Farms chief operating officer, at 979-451-2003, or Jenkins at 816-383-5100 for additional information about the female.
Angus Juniors in Philadelphia, 2014 LEAD Conference
The Leaders Engaged in Angus Development conference, commonly known as LEAD, is a four-day event that brings together National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) members from across the nation to learn about leadership development, teamwork and what life is like in other parts of the country. This year, more than 130 NJAA members traveled to Philadelphia, Pa., July 31-Aug. 3 to take part in the annual event sponsored by the Angus Foundation.
“What makes LEAD special is that the cattle are left at home,” said Jacy Alsup, Gravette, Ark., retired chair of the National Junior Angus Board (NJAB). “When you’re at a show, you are there to work, and so it’s good to be here and to be able to make those friendships. They can hang out with each other all week and be focused on learning, exploring and making those experiences with their friends.”
The LEAD conference is hosted for youth ages 14-21 years old, and this year’s theme was “Forefathers & Farmers: Cultivating Angus Youth.” While in Pennsylvania, participants spent a day focused on agriculture, visiting Herr Angus Farm and Cherry Knoll Farm, as well as a mushroom farm. They spent another day exploring downtown Philadelphia and historical landmarks, including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.
“This is my first year at the LEAD conference, so I’m kind of a rookie,” said Madelyn Gerken, Cashion, Okla. “I really have enjoyed all of it — from getting to go to the different farms to seeing the historical sites. Many opportunities have been opened up to me throughout this conference. You learn so much.”
A day on the farm
Pennsylvania’s Herr family has established a self-sustaining agribusiness, just 70 miles southwest of Philadelphia. In 1946, James Stauffer Herr bought a small potato chip company for $1,750. Today throughout the East Coast, it’s easy to spot a variety of snacks branded with the Herr’s family name. Angus juniors participating in the LEAD conference were able to tour the factory, where they process nearly 500,000 pounds of potatoes each day.
A few miles down the road from the factory is Herr Angus Farm. Manager Dennis Byrne spoke to the group about their production goals, gave tours around the pasture, and explained how the farm uses byproducts from the factory to fuel their agriculture production. A special mix of leftover popcorn, chips and cheese snacks are used in the farm’s feedlot. They call it “steer party mix,” and use it in part of a carefully managed nutritional diet for the cattle.
Because of their proximity to the Port of Wilmington in Delaware — a popular springboard for livestock export — Herr Angus Farm often serves as quarantine for cattle heading overseas. LEAD participants were able to see a group of dairy cattle headed for Turkey.
For more information, please view the full release here.
EPA, Corps Use Clean Water Act to
Expand Regulatory Authority
States could be facing upwards of 100,000 added regulated stream miles as a result of the “Waters of the United States” rule proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). While the agencies continue to claim their proposal does not expand the scope of the Clean Water Act, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Missouri Cattlemen’s Association and Missouri Farm Bureau showcased new interactive maps Aug. 14, 2014, at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, Mo., that illustrate how the proposal will impact property owners throughout the country.
“The maps highlight just how far the proposed rule would expand federal jurisdiction over waters across the country,” said Ashley McDonald, NCBA environmental counsel. “In Missouri alone, nearly 80,000 additional stream miles will be under the regulatory authority of EPA and the Corps. Logic and common sense tells us that the surrounding land will also be regulated more than ever before. This rule just continues this administration’s regulatory rampage, and enough is enough. Farmers and ranchers are not confused and are well aware of this administration’s blatant attempt to control every drop of water and every piece of private land in this country.”
The proposal goes as far as to include ditches in the definition of a tributary. McDonald said any activity near a jurisdictional ditch will now require a federal permit and as a result, many farmers and ranchers will need to acquire permits for routine land-use activities.
“Instead of providing the clarity that so many people have asked for, the agencies have instead proposed a rule that muddies the water even further through their clever use of ambiguous and vague terminology,” said McDonald. “Their actions have only created more questions for farmers and ranchers. The agency’s proposed rule adds more layers of government bureaucracy and red tape and amounts to nothing more than a pervasive invasion of private property rights.”
NCBA is working with a multi-industry coalition to ensure private property rights are protected. If this proposed rule is not withdrawn, according to McDonald, family farmers and ranchers will find themselves at the “mercy of the regulatory whims of the federal government.”
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