News Update
December 8, 2014
Countdown to Quality Success Continues
Nearly 4,000 producers from across the country registered to become Beef Quality Assurance (BQA)-certified thanks to an offer from Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. (BIVI). That is nearly double last year’s number, which makes nearly 10,000 producers who have made a commitment to quality during the past two years through the BIVI free-certification partnership. Through the sponsorship of the BQA certification program, BIVI provides financial support for the Beef Cattle Institute, which developed the certification module.
The checkoff-funded BQA program is important to the cattle industry as it provides producers a set of best practices for producing quality beef. It also gives consumers the assurance that the beef they eat is both safe and wholesome.
“Being BQA-certified says that as a cattlemen you’re serious about the cattle business — number one,” says Josh White, executive director of producer education, who coordinates the national BQA efforts. “All of us think in our own mind that we’re doing the right thing. BQA management practices are scientifically researched and proven by industry experts. We can be sure we’re providing our animals the best care.”
The BQA certification modules are customized to fit the specific needs of each segment of the cattle industry — cow-calf, stocker, feedyard and dairy operations. The program covers best management practices such as proper handling and administration of vaccinations and other products, eliminating injection-site blemishes, and better cattle-handling principles. Although the free certification period has passed, it’s never too late to proclaim your commitment to quality and become BQA-certified through your state training programs or online at www.bqa.org/team.
Producing quality beef for consumers is the bottom line goal for the industry. “By being BQA-certified, you’re delivering that message to consumers,” says White. “You care and are committed to delivering a high-quality product.”
For more information about your beef checkoff investment, visit www.MyBeefCheckoff.com.
New Leadership Represents Texas Cattle Producers on Texas Beef Council Board
The Texas Beef Council’s (TBC) newly elected board of directors began the new fiscal year leading the state’s producer-run beef marketing organization. The TBC board of directors consists entirely of beef producers providing representation of the state through organization affiliation. In addition, the board may elect two directors at large, without nomination by a qualified organization, to round out the board with equitable geographic and sector representation.
Dave Edmiston, a McCulloch County rancher, is the newly elected chairman of the TBC board. Edmiston represents Texas Farm Bureau and is a third-generation cow-calf producer who ranches in the heart of Texas.
Austin Brown III of Beeville will represent Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association on the TBC board and is the newly elected vice chairman. Brown is a cow-calf producer and ranches in south Texas.
Joining Edmiston and Brown on the executive committee are Bruce Dopslauf, Ryan Moorhouse and outgoing chair, Coleman Locke. The executive committee acts for the entire board on matters that require action between regularly scheduled meetings for the full 20-member board.
The TBC board establishes the budget and ultimately decides which demand-building programs receive checkoff funding collected under the national Beef Checkoff Program. Directors can serve up to six consecutive one-year terms on the TBC board.
For more information, please view the full release here.
Last Chance to Enter 2014-2015 Alltech Young Scientist Competition
As college students around the globe cram for final exams and put the finishing touches on their theses before a long semester break, one deadline students will not want to miss is the Alltech Young Scientist competition. Registration and paper submission closes December 31, 2014.
Featuring the largest global agri-science university competition of its kind, the Alltech Young Scientist program reflects Alltech’s commitment to reward science and innovation.
In addition to direct student registration, the program now features a new affiliate opportunity. The aim of the Alltech Young Scientist Affiliation Model is to grow the program through a network of current and future agri-science professionals. The Alltech Young Scientist program actively recruits local agri-science competitions held by research organizations or university departments to become affiliate competition partners.
As an affiliate, the local competition winners advance directly to the Alltech Young Scientist regional competitions and experience a range of academic and career-oriented benefits, including the opportunity to join the Alltech Young Scientist student council and communicate the excitement of the program on their home campuses.
Regional winners will receive cash prizes, and eight finalists will be invited to compete for top honors during Alltech’s annual conference May 16-22, 2015, in Lexington, Ky. The graduate grand prize is $10,000 and the undergraduate grand prize is $5,000.
For more information, please view the full release here.
Members elect Emporia, Eureka cattlemen to KLA leadership
Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) members have elected Emporia rancher Jaret Moyer as president for the coming year. Matt Perrier, a seedstock cattle producer from Eureka, was chosen as the new president-elect of the 5,000-member organization. Both were elected by members during the annual business meeting Dec. 5 at the KLA Convention in Wichita.
Moyer’s ranch is focused on growing light cattle using a combination of Flint Hills pastures and a backgrounding facility. He also is president of Citizens State Bank and Trust Co., with locations in Woodbine, Bremen, Gypsum and Reading.
Moyer and his wife, Shawna, have two daughters. Arissa is a junior at Kansas State University (K-State) studying ag economics. Sarah is a senior at Northern Heights High School in Allen.
Perrier represents the fifth generation of his family’s registered-Angus and ranching operation in Greenwood County. Dalebanks Angus started as a sheep farm in 1867. It has maintained a registered-Angus herd continuously since 1904. Today, the seedstock cattle operation produces genetics for the commercial cow-calf producer.
Perrier and his wife, Amy, have four children: Ava, Lyle, Hannah and Henry. They are expecting a fifth child in mid-March.
For more information, please view the full release here.
K-State’s Winter Ranch Management Series Set for January; Focuses on Replacement Heifers
Record-high calf prices and projected cow-calf profitability have many producers considering expansion. Selecting, feeding and breeding the right replacement heifers could have a large impact on future profits.
With that in mind, the 2015 Kansas State University (K-State) Winter Ranch Management series of meetings will focus on best management practices for developing replacement heifers. The meetings will also feature the popular “town-hall” style — a two-way verbal exchange — between Kansas’ cattle producers and extension specialists. The series is set to kick off in January.
The Winter Ranch Management series has a history of being a successful stretch of meetings, which are hosted throughout the state of Kansas, said Bob Weaber, beef breeding, genetics and cow-calf specialist for K-State Research and Extension. Weaber, along with other state, district and local extension staff, will take part in the series to help answer producers’ questions about replacement heifer development and a wide range of beef cattle issues surrounding animal health, nutrition, management, genetics and reproduction.
Weaber said producers should come to the meetings prepared with questions. Some of the hot topics he foresees discussing in addition to heifer development include drought management and recovery, winter feeding and cow management, preparation for calving season, and, as the bull-buying season approaches, selection and genetics issues.
Meeting times may vary by location, but all will include either a lunch or dinner meal. Participants are asked to RSVP for a selected location by the close of business the Friday before the event. Registration fees, which cover a meal, vary by location. Interested participants should reach out to their local host contact for registration and RSVP details.
Meetings are set for Jan. 6, 8, 15, 27 and 29 in various locations.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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