News Update
December 23, 2014
I Am Angus Broadcasts Christmas Night
The American Angus Association gives thanks this time of year for the gift of Angus cattle and the people who make their livelihood off the land. On Christmas night, tune in as the Association presents the second episode of the I Am Angus season at 10 p.m. EST (9 p.m. CST) Thursday, Dec. 25, on RFD-TV.
“Life on the ranch — especially in the winter months — can be extremely challenging, but in the next I Am Angus episode we visit families from Montana to Pennsylvania who couldn’t imagine living any other way,” says Eric Grant, Angus Productions Inc. (API) president and general manager. “They welcomed us into their homes, and we hope you tune in this Christmas for a look inside the ranching way of life.”
I Am Angus is an hour-long documentary series produced entirely by the American Angus Association that introduces the individuals, families and history involved with farms and ranches throughout the country.
This I Am Angus episode is sponsored by the Angus Foundation and broadcasts on RFD-TV. RFD-TV is distributed by more than 625 cable operators and can be found on DirecTV channel 345 and Dish Network channel 231. Check local listings for more information.
Plus, save the date for the next I Am Angus episode Jan. 5, as the Association explores the history and heritage of the National Western Stock Show. To watch segments from past shows, visit the Association’s website or YouTube channel.
For more information, please view the full release here.
TVMDL Offering Virus Serotyping by RT-qPCR
The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) now offers quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays (RT-qPCR) for serotyping Bluetongue virus (BTV), as well as Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease virus (EHDV).
Bluetongue is a viral disease that affects both domestic and wild ruminants; there are at least 24 serotypes known worldwide. Previously, clients requesting serotyping for positive Bluetongue specimens had their samples sent to the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Iowa. Now, TVMDL is able to provide this service in house for the six most common serotypes in the U.S.-2, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 17. The test is offered for $40 for in-state and $46 for out-of-state clients.
EHDV is one of the most widespread diseases in white-tailed deer in the United States, and can also infect most other wild and domestic ruminants. Rare outbreaks have been reported in cattle. There are at least 10 EHDV serotypes known worldwide. Previously, TVMDL completed EHDV serotyping tests by end point PCR; the new RT-qPCR enables rapid detection of the three most common serotypes in the U.S. 1, 2 and 6. The test is $36 for in-state clients and $42 for out-of-state clients.
If you have any questions, please contact the College Station laboratory at 979-845-3414 or toll free at 888-646-5624. The lab continues to work to provide quality, affordable and timely diagnostic results to all clients.
Visit http://tvmdl.tamu.edu/ for more information on diagnostic testing.
Southwest Hay and Forage Conference to Meet in Ruidoso Jan.15
As water for irrigation becomes increasingly short, irrigation technology and water management must improve in forage systems. The 2015 Southwest Hay & Forage Conference will focus on just that — how to get the most out of every drop.
In addition to ways to conserve water, presentations will be made on international marketing opportunities, novel forage traits and alternative hays.
“This conference provides an opportunity for producers to learn valuable and practical information that can be taken back home with them and utilized on their farms,” said Mark Marsalis, New Mexico State University (NMSU) Cooperative Extension Service agronomist. “There will be information for all types of forage growers.”
Alfalfa, along with other types of hay, is New Mexico’s number one crop, with 200,000 acres harvested annually. New Mexico farmers raise more than 1.2 million tons of hay with a value of more than $300 million. It is used by the beef cattle producers, dairy industry and equine enthusiasts.
“The drought has had its impact on the hay industry, just as it has on all of agriculture,” Marsalis said. “The more efficient a farmer can be with this precious natural resource, the better stewards they will be.”
Blair Stringam, NMSU Plant & Environmental Sciences associate professor, will introduce evaportranspiration Internet tools for irrigation scheduling. Farris Hightower of Lindsay Corporation will discuss remote monitoring of center pivot irrigation systems. Dirk Keeler of New Mexico Irrigation will discuss the use of drip irrigation in hay fields.
“Being able to take advantage of new marketing opportunities, novel forage traits and perhaps alternative hays will be critical for hay producers to remain competitive in an ever-shifting and demanding consumer base,” Marsalis said. “There will be several talks focusing on new technologies in hay.”
New Mexico Department of Agriculture’s Jason New will present international marketing opportunities for the growers to consider.
Advantages of low lignin alfalfa will be presented in two sessions: “HarvXtra Low Lignin Alfalfa,” by Peter Reisen of Forage Genetics; and “Managing HiGest Low Lignin Alfalfa,” by Don Miller of Alforex Seeds. Dave Staheli of Staheli West Inc. will discuss using the dewpoint baling moisture system to the grower’s advantage.
Roundup Ready® alfalfa acres are on the increase in New Mexico. Calvin Trostle of Texas A&M University will be asking the producers, “Is Roundup Ready alfalfa for you?”
How about an alternative forage and one that fits nicely between alfalfa rotations, such as teff grass? Marsalis will discuss the management of this new forage in New Mexico.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
Forrest Lucas and Senator Mike Parson Honored For Missouri Amendment One Work
Protect The Harvest Founder and Chair Forrest Lucas and Missouri State Senator Mike Parson (R-Bolivar) were recognized by Missouri Farm Bureau for their outstanding work in the passage of Missouri’s Amendment One, the Right to Farm, this past August.
In a press release on his Senate page, Senator Parson announced:
“I was honored to have been a part of drafting the language of Amendment One with members of the Missouri Farm Bureau, farmers, ranchers, as well as other agriculture organizations and commodity groups. The outcome of this amendment will positively affect a large portion of our state’s economy and cultural way of life for generations to come.”
“The efforts put forth on Amendment One is a perfect example of what can happen when officials work together on behalf of the citizens we were elected to represent. I am hopeful this is just the beginning of the accomplishments we can achieve when we look past party lines and do what is best for the people of Missouri.”
2015 Virginia Winter Forage Conferences Focus on Red Meat, Forages, and Human Health
The Virginia Forage and Grassland Council and Virginia Cooperative Extension will host the 2015 Winter Forage Conferences in four locations Jan. 20 through 23.
This year’s conferences will provide participants with information and examples of how healthy soils, forages and ruminants improve human health and well-being. Speakers will illustrate the role of healthy soils as the foundation for a vibrant forage system that supports a ruminant livestock herd supplying high-quality proteins for human nutrition and health.
The keynote speaker will be Peter Ballerstedt, the forage product manager at Barenbrug USA.
In his morning presentation, he will discuss “Beef: The real health food.” After lunch, he will shed light on the relationship between soils and grazing animals in his presentation, “Red meat is green.”
Participants will also hear from Adele Hite, a registered dietician who is currently pursuing a doctorate in nutrition epidemiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health. She will provide insights into the national nutritional policy environment and discuss “Policy does not equal science: Development of the U.S. Dietary Guidelines.”
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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