News Update
February 25, 2015
Ward Named Interim
Executive Vice President of AHA
Jack Ward has been named interim executive vice president of the American Hereford Association (AHA). Eric Walker, AHA president, announced the appointment following the resignation of Craig Huffhines.
“As a Board we agree that naming Jack as interim executive vice president is what is best for the Association during this time of transition,” Walker says. “We are confident that Jack will continue business in a seamless and effective manner.”
As interim, Ward will lead, direct, manage or support all functions of the Association, including serving as the Association secretary.
Ward has served as AHA chief operating officer and director of breed improvement since he joined the AHA team in 2003. His leadership has created increased interest and participation in the Association’s National Reference Sire Program and testing Hereford genetics in real-world commercial settings. He was also instrumental in AHA’s development of genomic-enhanced expected progeny differences (GE-EPDs) and other breed improvement strategies such as the newly released udder EPDs.
“It will be a pleasure to serve as the interim executive vice president and secretary as the AHA Board of Directors works through this transition,” Ward says. “The AHA has an incredible staff, and we will work together to continue the service and the development of tools to enhance the demand for Hereford cattle.”
Along with his solid background in Association work, he also has real-world seedstock experience spending 16 years managing several predominant seedstock operations, most recently as managing partner of Maple Lane Angus.
Ward is recognized throughout the industry for his ability to effectively communicate and educate. He has traveled across the United States and overseas to lead educational forums. Ward is currently serving on the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) board of directors and the Ultrasound Guidelines Council (UGC).
He graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics and also has an associate degree from Black Hawk East College.
Jack and his wife, Mary Ann, have two college-age sons, Cameron and Carter, who have been active in the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA). The family resides in Plattsburg, Mo.
Coalition Representing Nearly 400 Organizations
Urges Congress to Reject Calls for
Additional Budget Cuts to 2014 Farm Bill
National Farmers Union (NFU) and a coalition of nearly 400 organizations representing family farmers and ranchers, agribusinesses, food banks, environmental and faith-based organizations urged U.S. Senate and House leaders to reject all calls for additional cuts to the 2014 Farm Bill.
“The 2014 Farm Bill required over three years of debate in both chambers of Congress and ultimately ended with the consolidation of over 100 programs and cuts to mandatory spending across many titles, including the elimination of the direct payment program,” noted the letter, sent to the chairman and ranking member of the Senate and House Budget Committees. “These cuts came in addition to those already in effect due to sequestration.”
The letter noted that the bipartisan Farm Bill was estimated to contribute $23 billion to deficit reduction during 10 years, including sequestration. “These difficult cuts were made across the farm safety net, conservation programs and nutrition programs,” noted the letter, which was sent late yesterday.
The signators underscored their united opposition to re-opening any title of the Farm Bill during the consideration of the 2016 Budget Resolution and urged both chambers to refrain from including reconciliation instructions to the respective committees with oversight duties for the Farm Bill.
“The 2014 Farm Bill was a great victory for America’s family farmers and ranchers because it provided them with much-needed stability and also a huge win for taxpayers who will realize real savings from the budget cuts made by the legislation,” noted NFU President Roger Johnson. “The Farm Bill has been debated and passed and should be left alone.”
A copy of the letter is available here.
Young Stockmen’s Academy Kicks off Tenth Year
Young cattlemen and women from across Kansas met in Topeka Feb. 17-18 for the first installment of the 2015 Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) Young Stockmen’s Academy (YSA). Merck Animal Health is again serving as the exclusive sponsor of the program. A series of four seminars will be hosted throughout the year in various locations in Kansas.
During this session, attendees learned about the array of member services provided by KLA, heard about the importance of being an advocate for the livestock industry, saw KLA lobbyists in action at the state Capitol and took part in the KLA Legislative Meeting. As part of an interactive training session led by KLA staff, White City rancher and beef advocate Debbie Lyons-Blythe and WIBW–Topeka farm broadcasters Kelly Lenz and Greg Akagi, the group was given an overview of the various media outlets available to help tell the beef production story. Lyons-Blythe shared how she has implemented advocacy into her daily routine through the use of her blog, “Kids, Cows and Grass.” For hands-on training, they participated in a social media activity and mock radio talk show. In addition, YSA members attended a Senate Natural Resources Committee meeting at the Capitol and participated in a financial planning seminar conducted by agricultural CPA firm K-Coe Isom.
Members of the 2015 YSA class are Cory Beachner, Parsons; Dustin Crittenden, Winfield; Grant Gardiner, Ashland; Lindsay Graber, Richmond, Mo.; Kaleb Horne, Lyons; Calie Kalkowski, Satanta; Matt Knetter, Kansas City; Garrett Lister, Manhattan; Kristin Loving, Manhattan; Garret Ludwig, Stockton; Jesse Muller, Coffeyville; Michael Petrocci, Hillsboro; Asa Phillips, Hartford; Sam Rempe, Superior, Neb.; Anthony Ruiz, Minneapolis; John Sachse, Manhattan; Lesley Schmidt, Park City; Tyler Schultz, Haviland; Tanner Stucky, Council Grove; Laurel Wegener, Ellsworth; and Michael Wimer, Minneapolis.
The second installment of the YSA class will be in May. Members will have the opportunity to learn more about the agribusiness and retail beef industries. More information about YSA can be found at www.kla.org.
March 3 Grazing School Features ‘300 Days of Grazing’
Forage specialist John Jennings of the University of Arkansas will be the guest speaker at the Grazing School II workshop in Holton, Kan., March 3.
Jennings was instrumental in starting the “300 Days of Grazing” program eight years ago in Arkansas, as the agriculture industry saw the price of feed, fertilizer and fuel take a dramatic jump. The program is designed to extend the grazing season using stockpiled forages, winter annual forages and crop residue.
The program’s basic principles were implemented on demonstration farms throughout Arkansas, and now more than 110 farms are in the program.
Jennings, who has done extensive research on winter annuals, will present the five-step process to convert farms to the “300 Days of Grazing” program.
Joining him on the program will be David Hallauer, Kansas State University (K-State) Research and Extension Meadowlark District agronomist, presenting the latest information on brush and weed control on pastures.
The program includes a virtual tour of watering systems conducted by the Jackson County Conservation District.
The workshop, open to everyone, begins at 9:45 a.m., at “Your Place or Mine” in Holton, Kan. There is no charge to attend; however, the meal provided by the Jackson County Conservation District will only be available to those who preregister.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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