News Update
September 15, 2014
Working Together for
Safety in Agriculture
The U.S.-based International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health (ISASH) urges consumers and everyone involved in agriculture to recognize National Farm Safety and Health Week (Sept. 21-27) and promote awareness of safety solutions year round.
ISASH membership includes engineers, educators, insurers, physicians, nurses, veterinarians, statisticians, communicators, anthropologists, business leaders and others. Many of them have extensive farm and ranch backgrounds.
“This year’s safety week theme, ‘Safety counts: Protecting what matters,’ is best served by all of us working together to build a safer and healthier agricultural workplace,” said ISASH President Risto Rautiainen, director, Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health, University of Nebraska–Omaha.
The total number of fatalities in the U.S. agriculture, forestry and fishing sector continue to decline, but the fatality rate remains the highest of any industry sector, according to preliminary data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, recently released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Fatalities decreased 6% to 479, the third straight year of declines. However, the sector’s injury rate was 22.2 fatal injuries per 100,000 workers in 2013, far ahead of transportation (13.1/100,000) and mining (12.3/100,000).
“These figures are especially relevant during harvest season, as farmers are putting in long hours under the stress of weather delays, equipment breakdowns and heavy workloads,” Rautiainen said. “We urge farmers to set priorities to reduce the risk of injury to themselves, their family and their employees.”
For more information on National Farm Safety and Health Week and safety resources, visit the website of the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety, www.necasag.org/.
For more information about ISASH, including membership, go to www.isash.org, or contact ISASH Secretary Chip Petrea, 217-333-5035, repetrea@illinois.edu, or Rautiainen, 402-559-4998, rrautiainen@unmc.edu.
Farm Bureau Praises Bipartisan Support
for Farms, Ranches and Cash Accounting
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) hailed the strong bipartisan effort by members of Congress as they urged Senate and House leadership to preserve the cash accounting system farmers and ranchers rely on to grow their businesses.
“We are pleased to see members of Congress reach across party lines and stand together for farmers and ranchers who are working to build their businesses and communities,” AFBF President Bob Stallman said Sept. 12.
Cash accounting gives farmers and ranchers an important tool to expand their businesses and boost local economies. A recent proposal by the Senate Finance Committee would put a stop to this by requiring all businesses with annual receipts totaling $10 million to switch to the accrual method. Senators and representatives from both sides of the aisle warned this would “create significant long-term financial hardship.” In letters to both House and Senate leadership, members from all 50 states called the cash accounting system fundamental to the success of small businesses across rural America. The letters were signed by 46 senators and 233 representatives.
Under an accrual accounting system, small businesses would be taxed on non-existent income, thereby reducing their cash flow for operating costs and limiting opportunities for expansion. The added financial burden would require many to take out loans to cover the liquidity problems they would face.
Forcing small businesses to full-accrual accounting will hinder both profits and job creation in regions of the country that are still suffering from the economic downturn. Farm Bureau enthusiastically supports preservation of current cash accounting rules.
American Royal Announces 2014 Royal Scholars
The American Royal Association was pleased to announce the winners of the 2014 American Royal Scholars at the 12th Annual American Royal Business and Scholarship Luncheon on Wednesday, Sept. 10 in Kemper Arena.
The Royal Scholars program is designed to provide an opportunity for outstanding college students to advocate for the food and fiber industry and the American Royal. Selected applicants will travel to Kansas City, Mo. for training and participation in the 115th American Royal. Royal Scholars receive media training, assist with school tours, lead sessions during Youth Leadership Day and many other American Royal activities. Scholars are selected on their academic achievements, as well as community leadership, on and off campus. In recognition of the outstanding achievements of these young leaders, the American Royal Association will award a $2,500 scholarship to each student selected as a 2014 Royal Scholar.
This year six scholarships were awarded to Alyssa Clements, a graduate student at the University of Illinois; Garrett Kays, a junior at Kansas State University; Sadie Kinne, a senior at the University of Missouri; Emma Likens, a senior at the University of Nebraska; Jade Kampsen, a senior at South Dakota State University and Morgan Weinrich, a sophomore at Colorado State University. The selection committee was composed of Mary Powell and Mary Hunkeler, who are recognized community leaders in education and Erica Venancio, representing the Agriculture Business Council of Kansas City.
“The six individuals selected demonstrate exemplary grades, while maintaining active leadership roles in student clubs and organizations. These students also represent the best leaders in their respective schools and communities and will undoubtedly continue to be leaders and advocates for agriculture,” said Bob Petersen, president and CEO of the American Royal.
Larry Moore of KMBC-TV served as the Master of Ceremonies for the event, and the keynote address was presented by Neal Patterson, chairman of the Board and CEO of Cerner Corp
The American Royal Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation that has been a Kansas City tradition since 1899. Each year more than 270,000 people attend events at the American Royal Complex. In 2013, the Royal was able to give $1.4 million in scholarship and educational awards. In addition to its educational mission, the American Royal generates some $60 million of economic impact, $4.4 million in local tax revenues, and supports 450 jobs. For further information, see www.americanroyal.com.
Rebuilding the Beef Herd Program
set Sept. 25 at Camp Cooley Ranch
Brazos Valley cattle producers considering rebuilding their cow herds will have a unique opportunity to hear a comprehensive economic analysis, as well as tips on developing a sound restocking plan Sept. 25 at Camp Cooley Ranch, according to organizers.
The ranch is located at 4297 Camp Cooley Ranch Road in Franklin.
“Rebuilding the Beef Herd: Planning to Capture the Opportunities” will be held from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and is open to beef cattle producers throughout the Brazos Valley, said Ed Schneider, AgriLife Extension agent for Robertson County. The program will feature a number of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service beef cattle specialists discussing cattle market outlook, forage and stocking management, replacement cow/heifer options, resource use and leased grazing considerations. A tour of Camp Cooley Ranch is also scheduled.
“Cattle prices are charting at record highs, and there are many beef producers considering restocking options,” Schneider said. “However, there are still economic challenges such as high input costs, land use and return on investment when buying cows or replacement heifers. Those with serious intent to enter, rebuild or expand their beef operation need to have a sound plan.”
Cost is $25 and includes lunch, program materials and breaks. For meal-count purposes, preregistration is requested by calling 979-828-4270. Payment may be made at time of arrival. A number of agribusiness booths will be exhibited, and door prizes will be given throughout the day, Schneider said.
Topics include:
- Beef — Better (and Different). This discussion will look at demand vs. supply and the future of beef.
- Forage Recovery, Pasture Restocking and Weed Management. This presentation will focus on the art and science of balancing grazing pasture and forage supply and battling the never-ending supply of weeds.
- Evaluating Replacement Options. This presentation will feature discussion on the type of cows that fit the right environment, as well as marketing considerations.
- Can a $3,000 Cow Break Even? This presentation will evaluate breakeven costs for a variety of price ranges for purchased females.
- Flexibility in Resource Use. This presentation will look at flexible grazing options using existing forage resources and replacement female options. Insuring forage as a management tool will also be discussed.
- Leased grazing — What, Why and How? This discussion will focus on the key elements of a successful lease. They include resource inventory, lease expectations, structure, arrangement, tenure and documentation.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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