News Update
December 9, 2014
KAA Partners with CAB for
Annual Carcass Data Project
The 2014 Carcass Data Project (CDP) is designed for producers using registered-Angus bulls that may not have enough steers to make a whole pen at a commercial feedyard, but want to retain ownership and collect individual carcass data on their steers or for producers that may want to feed a few head and compete for recognition as the 2014 CDP winner.
Kansas Angus Association (KAA) members are encouraged to promote the CDP to their bull customers. To participate in the project, producers must enter a minimum of five spring-born steers weaned at least 45 days prior to delivery. Steers must be out of a registered-Angus bull and have a known sire or sire group. An approved vaccination program, as well as having individual identification tags is also required.
The KAA is proud to continue its partnership with Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) to enhance the CDP experience. CAB is sponsoring up to a $1,000 in cash awards and CAB merchandise to the owners of the top group of steers (based on using CAB acceptance and quality grade as the main criteria). In addition, CAB will present each CDP participant with CAB logo merchandise. Actual cash award is based upon participation. McPherson County Feeders (MCF), Marquette, Kan., will host the CDP for the third year.
The annual Carcass Data Project (CDP) gets under way in December. Entries are due Dec. 15, $5 per head entry fee payable to the KAA. MCF will bill participants twice a month for feed. Participants are responsible for delivery/transportation to MCF, Dec. 27-29, 2014. To enter, complete the entry form; upon entry you will receive an information sheet to complete detailing your steers’ individual information.
Return the entry form by email, or mail by Dec. 15 with the $5 per head entry fee. Upon entry you will receive an information sheet to complete detailing your steer’s individual information, as well as specific CDP delivery information.
For more information, please view the full release here.
Livestock Producers Approve Policy to Guide KLA
Members of the Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) adopted policy addressing their business interests during the group’s annual meeting, Dec. 3-5 in Wichita. Resolutions on the beef checkoff, Clean Water Act regulations, the threatened listing of the lesser prairie chicken and trichomoniasis were among those drawing members’ attention. The process started in committee and council meetings and concluded with final approval by the general KLA membership.
An existing resolution on the beef checkoff was amended to support changes in the 1985 Beef Promotion and Research Act that would authorize an increase in the assessment rate. It goes further to oppose creating a supplemental beef checkoff under the Commodity Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act of 1996. Compared to the 1985 act, the 1996 act gives more control over checkoff decisions to the federal government, allows for an increased share of funds to go toward administration and does not ensure a coordinated national/state partnership.
KLA members chose to retain a resolution opposing legislation that would expand federal jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act, including the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) current proposal to redefine “waters of the United States.” The resolution urges EPA and other agencies to recognize the abilities of states to best manage water resources.
Policy was amended to support the inclusion of grazing lands in the 4(d) Rule for the lesser prairie chicken. The rule currently grants incidental take protection to routine ag practices on land cultivated within five years preceding the listing of the lesser prairie chicken as threatened, but does not afford the same protection to grasslands used in livestock production.
Another resolution amended by KLA members supports changes to state law or regulations requiring timely notification of the owners of neighboring herds by Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Animal Health officials when a confirmed case of trichomoniasis is discovered.
The membership voted to retain policy supporting regulatory and/or statutory changes to the current country-of-origin labeling (COOL) program that would bring the United States into compliance with international trade obligations and avoid trade disruptions or retaliatory action.
For more information, please view the full release here.
AFA Partners to Offer Scholarships and
Training to Agriculture Students
Graduating high school seniors and current college students studying agriculture should apply for a unique scholarship program offered by Agriculture Future of America (AFA) and its partners. The AFA Leader and Academic Scholarship Program provides students access to premier professional and personal development and financial assistance for college.
More than 60 scholarships are available for 2015 through AFA’s partnerships with organizations like the Belles of the American Royal (BOTAR), the California Cotton Alliance, the Roderick J. and Jo Anne Cyr Foundation, the DFA Cares Foundation, Farm Credit Mid-America, the Stanley H. Durwood Foundation, Water Street Solutions and AgriBank’s William J. Collins Scholarship.
Each scholarship has two components. The leader component introduces recipients to AFA’s leader development program through a $1,000 sponsorship to the AFA Leaders Conference, a development experience for elite agriculture students. The academic component provides financial support, typically $1,600, for the recipient’s tuition and fees upon successful attendance of the conference.
Scholarship recipients from across the country will be selected based on career vision and goal, leader and community involvement, and financial need. Eligibility requirements vary, but all students must be pursuing four-year degrees in agriculture-related fields. Applications are due March 20, 2015. Learn more and apply at www.agfuture.org/scholarships.
Johnson Joins Select Sires Beef Department
Select Sires Inc. is pleased to announce the hiring of Jennie Johnson as graphic designer and administrative coordinator for the beef sire department. Johnson will be responsible for graphic design and advertising for the beef program on both national and member cooperative levels and will be highly involved with designing the annual beef sire directory, fall flyer, calendar and other important publications and communications from the beef program. She will effectively promote Select Sires’ beef genetic programs and services, as well as design and produce materials to support the Select Sires brand.
Johnson obtained a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communication from Oklahoma State University in May 2013. While in college she was vice president of Agriculture Communicators of Tomorrow and active in Block and Bridle and the Oklahoma Collegiate Cattlewomen’s Association.
Johnson is no stranger to visual marketing, as she recently served as the graphic designer and photographer for the Shorthorn Country magazine. “Jennie was a shining star among the many applicants we had for this position,” explains Aaron Arnett, vice president of beef genetics. “Her blend of professional skills, friendly personality and beef industry experience make her the perfect fit for our team.”
Based in Plain City, Ohio, Select Sires Inc. is North America’s largest Artificial insemination (AI) organization and is composed of nine farmer-owned and -controlled cooperatives. As the industry leader, it provides highly fertile semen, as well as excellence in service and programs to achieve its basic objective of supplying dairy and beef producers with North America’s best genetics at a reasonable price.
AgriLife Extension sets 4-H Livestock
Showmanship/Feeding Clinic Dec. 20 in Lubbock
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will present the District 2 Livestock Ambassadors Steer, Swine, Lamb and Goat Showmanship/Feeding Clinic from 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 20 at the Texas Tech Arena in Lubbock.
Robert Scott, AgriLife Extension agent in Lubbock County, said admission is free to 4-H and FFA exhibitors who may bring their project lambs and goats only — no cattle or swine. For more information, contact Scott at 806-775-1680, rj-scott@tamu.edu.
“This has become a popular event for us as it gives youth, along with their families, a chance to gain experience from older 4-H members,” Scott said.
The Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador program involves high school 4-H members who receive in-depth instruction before serving as representatives of the agricultural industry in Texas, Scott said. They are required to complete a minimum of 40 hours of service annually, and in most cases, the service involves helping novice 4-H members with their livestock projects.
“We’ve selected six top ambassadors to conduct this training,” he said. “They are all longtime 4-H members who know firsthand the skills necessary to successfully compete in the showring. This is a great opportunity for youngsters just getting started to hear from the ‘old pros’ in a hands-on setting. And this experience should jump-start them for the upcoming stock show season.”
For more information please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
— Compiled by Paige Nelson, field editor, Angus Journal.
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