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Copyright © 2015
Angus Journal



The Angus Journal Daily, formerly the Angus e-List, is a compilation of Angus industry news; information about hot topics in the beef industry; and updates about upcoming shows, sales and events. Click here to subscribe.

News Update

January 22, 2015

Rod Geppert Named
Angus Regional Manager

The American Angus Association welcomes Rod Geppert of Fort Pierre, S.D., as the new regional manager for Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Geppert begins his role Feb. 2 and brings more than 20 years of experience in the beef cattle business.

A native of South Dakota, Geppert looks forward to getting to know Association members and their customers, helping them market their cattle and grow into the future.

“I’ve been a cattleman all my life, and with prices like we are seeing today, there’s no better time to be in the cattle business and no better organization than the American Angus Association,” Geppert says.

As a regional manager, Geppert will represent the Angus breed at various cattle events, sales, shows and other activities throughout the territory. Breeders are encouraged to ask him questions about Association programs and services or for help locating Angus seedstock. He can also advise producers on marketing opportunities available through the Association, including advertising through the Angus Journal, Angus Beef Bulletin and other multimedia avenues.

Geppert holds a bachelor of science degree in agricultural extension, with a minor in animal science from South Dakota State University. Throughout his career, he has been involved in several aspects of the cattle business — from ranch management to extension and education, as well as being a respected livestock judge and coach for 4-H youth in the state. Geppert has served as a livestock educator in his region and as the 4-H youth livestock leader and show manager for the state for many years, and was a coordinator for the South Dakota State Fair.

Most recently, he was a farm and ranch manager for Farmers National Co., where he was responsible for managing 45-plus farms and ranches in South Dakota. He was also an associate real estate broker specializing in farms and ranches.

In addition, Geppert has been involved with his family’s operation, RGSC Geppert Cattle, for many years.

“With bull sale season on the horizon, I can’t wait to hit the ground running and start traveling throughout the territory,” Geppert says.

Contact him at rgeppert@angus.org or 605-295-3673 for assistance locating Angus seedstock, marketing cattle or advice on Association programs and services.

— Adapted from a release by Jena McRell, Angus Productions Inc.

Peterson Announces Ag Committee Democrats

House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson announced Jan. 21, 2015, the 19 Democrats appointed to serve on the House Agriculture Committee for the 114th Congress.

“This is a great group of both new and returning members who care about the wide variety of issues overseen by the Agriculture Committee. I look forward to working with them, Chairman Conaway and members on the other side of the aisle this Congress,” Peterson said.

Democratic Members:

— Adapted from a release by Liz Friedlander, House Agriculture Committee Democrats.

Murray Wise Associates Foundation to
Offer Scholarships for Agriculture Students

The Murray Wise Associates Foundation has announced the availability of merit-based scholarships for qualified agricultural students regardless of where they plan to study. Candidates must apply by March 31, 2015.

“A career in agriculture today and in the future requires a broad understanding of science, economics, business management and even world affairs. The issues and choices facing today’s farmer are incredibly complex. At the same time, higher education costs have skyrocketed,” said Murray Wise, chairman of the Murray Wise Associates Foundation.

“It has been our privilege to provide scholarships for over 15 years, and I want to emphasize that these are based entirely on merit, with no limits based on where the student lives or plans to study. As past recipients graduate, we are able to open the program up to new candidates,” said Wise.

Eligible applicants include undergraduate students already enrolled in college, as well as high school seniors accepted for enrollment at an accredited college, university or community college in a course of study related to agriculture. Awards are for a minimum of $1,000 and may be renewed annually for up to four years, provided certain conditions are met.

Recipients are selected based on academic credentials, including class rank, grade point average and test scores, as well as their commitment to the past, present and future of the agricultural industry. “We’re seeking to find the next generation’s leaders, so it’s important for applicants to demonstrate not only academic excellence, but also leadership qualities, especially in agriculture and community extracurricular pursuits,” Wise said.

Individuals may begin the application process at app.murraywiseassociates.com. The secure online application allows students to complete a questionnaire and upload transcripts, letters of reference and other supporting documents before submitting a complete package for consideration. Students can save their progress and return to the application at any time prior to submitting to add additional information.

Murray Wise Associates LLC, with offices in Florida, Illinois and Iowa, is a leading national agricultural real estate marketing and financial advisory firm.

— Adapted from a release by Murray Wise Associates.

NFU Women’s Conference Provides Skills,
Guidance to Participants

National Farmers Union’s (NFU) 2015 Women’s Conference concluded Jan. 21 in Clearwater Beach, Fla. The conference, designed for farm and rural women, was based on the well-respected Annie’s Project education program. The event was Jan. 17-21, 2015, and provided participants with tools and information to confidently manage risks in their farm or ranch operations and develop leadership skills.

“This conference built on NFU’s experience in offering adult education classes specifically designed for women in agriculture and provided participants with important leadership and management skills, as well as networking opportunities,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “Family farm operations and communities benefit when each person understands strategic planning, business analysis, risk management and transferring operations from one generation to the next.”

Highlights of the agenda included a screening of Terra Firma, an award-winning film about veteran women farmers; breakouts on leadership training, financial planning and farm bill programs; and special guests such as Althea Raiford, one of the women starring in Terra Firma; Lilia McFarland, coordinator of the USDA’s New and Beginning Farmer and Rancher Program; and Gary Matteson, Farm Credit’s vice president for young, beginning, small farmer programs and outreach.

The conference was sponsored by Agribility, American Farmland Trust, CHS Foundation, CoBank, Farm Credit, FUI Foundation, Montana Farmers Union, NFU Foundation and USDA’s Risk Management Agency.

— Adapted from a release by Andrew Jerome, National Farmers Union.

Academy for Ranch Management Burn Schools
set for February, March

The Academy for Ranch Management will host two rangeland burning schools in February and March at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Station located on State Highway 55 between Sonora and Rocksprings.

A Prescribed Rangeland Burning School will be Feb. 19-21 and the Advanced Rangeland Burning School on March 6-8, according to Ray Hinnant, an AgriLife Research senior research associate in College Station.

The February workshop will provide an overview of prescribed burning and includes information on the history of fire, weather, planning a burn, fuels and fuel moisture, and equipment.

The March training will build on the previous school, providing more information on fire behavior, fire effects, and planning and conducting a prescribed burn, Hinnant said.

The cost for each event is $395, which will include meals and lodging. In addition, Hinnant said, there will be a $45 facilities-use fee due upon arrival for each school.

The Academy for Ranch Management is a program of AgriLife Research and the Texas A&M University department of ecosystems science and management in College Station. The Sonora facilities provide a teaching laboratory for hands-on experience.

Instructors will be Hinnant; Charles “Butch” Taylor, superintendent of the research station; Mort Kothmann, Texas A&M department of ecosystems science and management professor; and Nick Garza, an AgriLife Research associate at Sonora.

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

— Adapted from a release by Kay Ledbetter, Texas A&M AgriLife Communications.

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

 

 
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