News Update

January 16, 2015

Angus Highlights from the
National Western Stock Show

It has been an exciting week for Angus enthusiast at the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) in Denver, Colo. Here are a few highlights:

Angus ROV Bull Show: Dave Allan, Schulenburg, Texas, evaluated the bulls in Wednesday’s Super-Point Roll of Victory Angus Bull Show. Grand champion bull was EXAR First Advance 5702B, a September 2012 son of Dameron First Class owned by the Schnoor Sisters of Chowchilla, Calif. Reserve grand champion bull was BSF Opportunist Z5. Hoffman Ranch, Thedford, Neb.; Bloomberg Polyock, Olivet, Mich.; and Broken Arrow Angus Ranch, Fallon, Nev.; own the February 2012 son of BSAR Opportunity 9114.

Angus Sale Bulls: A panel of judges consisting of Chris Styles, Brentford, S.D.; Bruce Stertzbach, Louisville, Ohio; and Joe Myers, Harrodsburg, Ky., evaluated the bulls for the National Western Bull Sale. Grand champion sale bull was Silveira’s First Reaction 2510, an October 2012 son of Dameron First Class owned by Silveira Bros., Firebaugh, Calif. Reserve grand champion sale bull was JS First Class B851, a February 2014 son of McCoy First Class 109-6119 owned by Jason Allen Schroeder, Durant, Iowa.

Junior Angus Show: Thurday’s junior show was sorted by John Perry, Fayetteville, Tenn. As grand champion female, he selected Top Line Lady 3330. Calli Ann Bayer, Ringle, Wis., owns the April 2013 daughter of EXG RS First Rate S903 R3. Reserve grand champion female was Schnoor Winnie 9323, a September 2013 daughter of Dameron First Impression owned by Sydney Schnoor, Chowchilla, Calif.

Angus Foundation Heifer Package: Charles W. Herbster of Herbster Angus Farms, Falls City, Neb., paid $175,000 to purchase the 2015 Angus Foundation Heifer Package headlined by 44 Ruby 3839. The Foundation Heifer was donated by 44 Farms of Cameron, Texas.

Angus Night on the Mountain: Spruce Mountain Ranch LLC, Larkspur, Colo., was the gathering place for many Angus enthusiasts on Wednesday, Jan. 14, for Angus Night on the Mountain. Ten packages and one raffle item generated more than $42,000 in gross proceeds for the Angus Foundation to benefit its mission to support Angus education, youth and research.

The ROV Female Show is happening today, with Angus Carloads and Pens on schedule for tomorrow. Find online coverage at http://www.angus.org/showresults/denver/2015/index.html.

Peterson Statement on Introduction
of Free Trade with Cuba Act

House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson Jan. 15 made the following statement after the introduction of the “Free Trade with Cuba Act” in the U.S. House of Representatives. Peterson is an original co-sponsor of the legislation.

“We have a ready-made market in Cuba, just 90 miles off our coast, yet the current embargo gives this market away to other countries, putting American producers at a disadvantage. This legislation will significantly open the Cuban market for our nation’s farmers and ranchers, who have struggled to get their products to Cuba due to the cash-in-advance requirement and prohibition of direct transactions. I have long advocated for legislation to expand U.S. trade with Cuba and the Free Trade with Cuba Act does just that.”

— Adapted from a release by the House Agriculture Committee Democrats.

Higher Protein Content Boosts Value of Crop

Farmers have often heard that higher-quality soybeans could generate more value. Now, a new soy-checkoff-funded study shows how much more.

The price of soybeans is driven by the combined value of soybean meal, oil and hulls, a measurement known as the estimated processed value (EPV). The study, conducted by Centrec Consulting Group LLC, shows how EPV increases when farmers raise the protein content in their soybeans. In fact, increasing protein content by 1 percentage point, when yield and oil levels remain the same, increases a crop’s value per acre.

“Higher-quality soybean meal is a win-win for both the soybean farmer and livestock and poultry producers,” says Laura Foell, chair of the United Soybean Board’s (USB’s) Meal Action Team and a soybean farmer from Schaller, Iowa. “Farmers can provide animal ag with the quality of feed the industry demands, and the value farmers get in return will rise.”

The checkoff conducted the study in 13 states where EPV increased by between $7.70 and $12.96 per acre, depending on the state.

Farmers in regions with higher-quality soybeans receive better prices than those in areas with lower protein content. That is because higher-quality soybeans create more demand. That brings processors more value and allows them to pay more to farmers. Seed selection is the key to growing soybeans that are high in quality. Farmers should ask their seed dealer or visit www.GrowSoybeanValue.com to find varieties that will produce greater protein without sacrificing yield.

The 70 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate and to meet the needs of U.S. soy’s customers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.

For more information, please view the full release here.

— Adapted from a release by the United Soybean Board.

Central States Fair Office Relocates for Black Hills Stock Show®

Beginning Jan. 19 through the duration of the Black Hills Stock Show®, the Central States Fair Office will relocate to the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center at 444 Mt. Rushmore Rd., Rapid City, S.D. The Central States Fair/Black Hills Stock Show Office is located in Room 101.

The phone number remains the same at 605-355-3861, as well as the mailing address.

“Relocating our office to Rushmore Plaza Civic Center allows our staff to work more closely in the set-up of the Black Hills Stock Show,” says Ron Jeffries, Central States Fair/Black Hills Stock Show general manager. “Our staff won’t miss a beat in meeting customer needs for event ticket sales and answering questions. We look forward to having everyone join us for the 2015 edition of Black Hills Stock Show beginning Jan. 30.”

Tickets for the Black Hills Stock Show Stockman’s Ball, the original Black Hills Stock Show Ranch Rodeo, and the North American Sheepdog Trials are available online at www.blackhillsstockshow.com or at the Black Hills Stock Show office at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Room 101.

A complete schedule of events is available at www.blackhillsstockshow.com.

— Adapted from a release by Kadee Hande, Black Hills Stock Show.

Blackland Income Growth Beef Session set for Feb. 3

The beef session of the 2015 Blackland Income Growth Conference Feb. 3 will feature industry experts discussing strategies to assist beef producers on how to capitalize on today’s strong beef market.

The annual conference, to be hosted at the Extraco Events Center in Waco, Texas, is sponsored by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Waco Chamber of Commerce.

Brian Uptmore, of West Auction Company, will discuss various marketing strategies, cattle phenotypes and breeds, and management factors producers can incorporate to get the most return in today’s market. Steve Hammack, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist emeritus, Stephenville, will discuss sire selection factors to assist producers in maximizing market potential when selecting potential herd sires.

With high calf prices come high replacement costs, and Ron Gill, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist from College Station, will discuss the female side of the beef equation by providing useful information and tips to producers as they begin to restock and/or replace older cows.

Producers attending will also receive money-saving tips related to hay storage and feeding losses, as well as an update on current beef industry topics. Producers who have completed the Beef Quality Assurance Program will receive 1.5 continuing education credits.

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

— Adapted from a release by Texas A&M University.

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

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