News Update

September 9, 2014

Western Ranchers Discuss Policy Priorities and Industry Issues
at PLC Annual Meeting

The Public Lands Council (PLC) last week hosted its 2014 Annual Meeting in Ignacio, Colo. Ranchers from across the West gathered to discuss agenda items important to the public lands grazing industry including the potential sage grouse listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA); the federal wild horse and burro program; the Clean Water Act; and local government participation in federal land use planning.

Joining in the discussion were Washington and regional officials of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS); natural resource experts; representatives from Rep. Tipton’s (R-Colo.) office and Sens. Bennet (D-Colo.) and Udall’s (D-Colo.) offices; representatives from national affiliate associations; and other industry leaders.

“There are approximately 22,000 federal land ranchers, and this week, industry leaders came together to provide direction for the coming years,” said PLC Executive Director Dustin Van Liew. “Our board of directors approved five new projects to be funded by the Public Lands Endowment Trust, including a national public relations campaign to research and ultimately bring more awareness to the benefits of utilizing public lands for grazing. This is a new step for our organization and the industry alike. We hope this long-term project will help bridge the gap between our producers and consumers across the country.”

Members also heard from Susan Combs, Texas Comptroller for Public Accounts, about Texas’ efforts to bring awareness and understanding of the faulty ESA. Since 2004, there has been a significant increase in the number of proposed listings across the country and, according to Combs, there is not broad and clear understanding of the listing process, making it very difficult for ranchers and other stakeholders to engage early or at all.

Retiring President Brice Lee was honored at the Friday night banquet where many fellow ranchers shared their appreciation for his lifetime of dedication to the industry. Lee ranches in Southwest Colorado and Northern New Mexico. Saturday, members toured his ranch and learned about his work with Dow AgroSciences to treat sage brush and increase forage on his rangeland.

Lee passed the gavel to Idaho rancher Brenda Richards, officially beginning her two-year term as president. Richards, along with her husband and three sons, operate a cow-calf operation based in Owyhee County, Idaho. Dave Eliason, a Utah rancher, assumed the role as vice president and Oregon rancher Bob Skinner was elected secretary/treasurer.

— Adapted from a release by the Public Lands Council.

2014 American Royal Livestock Show Media Internship

Calling all writers, photographers, social media gurus or livestock enthusiasts interested in new experiences and sharpening media coverage skills.

Interns will attend shows/events, write human-interest stories, contribute to the American Royal blog, generate content and manage social media platforms, shoot candid photos and assist breed associations with recording show results.

Two students will be selected to cover each week of the livestock show.

Week 1: Oct. 23-26 or

Week 2: Oct. 30-Nov. 2

Interns will receive a $500 scholarship, lodging and experiences that can’t be gained in a classroom. Applying students must be enrolled as a college undergraduate. A personal laptop and digital camera are required.

To apply, email your cover letter indicating intern week preference, résumé and two work samples to Kylee Deniz at >kylee@lessingflynn.com by Sept. 17.

The selected interns will be notified by Oct. 1.

— Adapted from a release by the American Royal.

Agricultural Safety Group Offering Grants Up to $10,000

Grants up to $10,000 are being offered by a national coalition of agribusinesses, producer organizations and safety professionals in order to foster new champions of agricultural safety and health.

The Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America (ASHCA) has announced an application deadline of Jan. 7, 2015. Information regarding eligibility, priorities, application instructions and frequently asked questions is available at www.ashca.org.

ASHCA made its first-ever safety grants this past June. The 10 grants addressed onsite safety training, development of a mobile app, personal protective equipment, safe play zones for children of farmworkers and other topics.

“The applications were thoughtfully prepared and covered a number of topics related to ASHCA’s priorities, considering issues of national significance while acknowledging safety/health concerns of regional or commodity specific importance,” said Leon Graves, grants committee chair and vice-president of Dairy Marketing Services.

The purpose of the ASHCA Safety Grants Program is to provide financial support to promote evidence-based safety/health strategies addressing farmers, ranchers and agricultural workers.

Individuals, organizations and businesses can support ASHCA’s Safety Grants program with financial contributions and/or “in-kind” support.

— Adapted from a release by the Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America.

Vermeer Corporation Announces Family Succession Plans

As part of its family succession planning process, Vermeer Corp. recently announced that third-generation family member, Jason Andringa, will serve as the company’s next president and CEO effective Nov. 1, 2015.

On Nov. 1, 2014, Jason will assume the role of president and COO for one year, when he will transition to the role of president and CEO of Vermeer Corp. He currently serves as president of forage and environmental solutions.

“Gary Vermeer, my grandfather and Vermeer founder, was very influential for me personally and professionally,” said Jason Andringa. “Since a young age, I had a passion to follow in his footsteps. In the mid-90s, I traveled on a business trip overseas with my mother, Mary, and saw firsthand the global demand for Vermeer equipment and the impact it was making on local communities across the world. That trip solidified my path to Vermeer. I am honored to have the opportunity to lead Vermeer as a family-owned and -operated, global company into a prosperous future.”

Mary Andringa, current president and CEO, will assume the role of CEO and chair of the board Nov. 1, 2014. Mary will transition exclusively to chair of the board Nov. 1, 2015.

“I look forward to working closely with Jason this coming year to prepare him for the transition to CEO in Nov. 2015,” said second-generation family member Mary Andringa. “As an entire family, we are proud to announce the third-generation leadership, who, we know with confidence, can propel us to new heights.”

Bob Vermeer, current chairman of the board, will assume the role of chair emeritus. The honorary role for individuals who served as Vermeer CEO or chair of the board will be effective Nov. 1, 2014.

“The Vermeer family and board of directors have worked diligently for more than two decades to establish a robust and extensive family employment policy and succession planning process,” said Bob Vermeer, second-generation family member. “We are confident that Jason’s education and experience have prepared him exceptionally to lead the company.”

— Adapted from a release by the Vermeer Corporation.

Medina County Women’s Conference Slated for Oct. 24 in Castroville, Texas

The 2014 Medina County Women’s Conference, presented by Sisters Inc. and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, will be hosted 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Braden Keller Center, 1410 Amelia St. in Castroville.

Organizers said the event typically draws more than 200 women from throughout Medina and surrounding counties. Conference donors include Hondo National Bank, James Avery, Community National Bank, Security State Bank, Medina Healthcare System, Castroville State Bank and Hondo H-E-B.

“This year’s conference theme will be ‘Texas Women: Strong and Proud.’ There will be some excellent presentations for attendees, as well as a catered lunch and style show,” said Sandra Kunkel, AgriLife Extension family and consumer sciences agent in Medina County and an event organizer.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., and there will be shop-and-learn kiosks and a silent auction for attendees until the conference starts. Kiosks will remain open until 4 p.m.

“Medina County native Maria Lopez DeLeon will welcome the group and give a special presentation,” Kunkel said. “In 2013, Maria was appointed by the president to serve on the National Council on the Arts. She is also executive director and a board member of the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures.”

Lunch, provided by Riverside Catering, will be accompanied by a style show.

After the style show, keynote speaker LaDonna Gatlin, sister of country music’s Gatlin Brothers and a singer, motivational speaker and author, will present, “Tune Up Your Life.”

Kunkel said experts from AgriLife Extension and other organizations will be available to offer health and nutrition information, plus provide health checks.

“Various vendors will also be set up to offer you the opportunity to kick-start your holiday shopping,” Kunkel said. “And the silent auction will have some fabulous items up for grabs, with proceeds benefiting the Bluebonnet Children’s Advocacy Center.”

Early bird registration for the conference is $35 until Oct. 10. After that, registration is $45. Registration forms may be obtained at the AgriLife Extension office for Medina County, 1506 Ave. M in Hondo, any Sisters Inc. member location or at http://medina.agrilife.org/.

For more information, contact Kunkel at 830-741-6180, s-kunkel@tamu.edu

For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.

— Adapted from a release by Paul Schattenberg, Texas A&M AgriLife Communications.

— Compiled by Paige Nelson, field editor, Angus Journal.