News Update
March 17, 2015
Sale Season Continues Strong
Optimism is strong in the beef cattle business, with greener pastures in sight and herd expansion on the horizon. Demand for registered-Angus genetics remains strong, as proven by recent sales figures reported to the American Angus Association.
Year-to-date registered-Angus bulls have averaged $6,784 per head, and females have averaged $5,266 per head.
Go online to browse the latest sale reports, where you can see what registered-Angus cattle are bringing in the sale barn or through private treaty. Members can search by keyword, date and state. They can see the price paid for the top-selling animals, as well as the buyer.
While on the website, you can also view upcoming sale books for all the Angus events yet to come this spring sale season. If you need assistance locating Angus seedstock or marketing your genetics, contact your Association Regional Manager.
AGI Seeking Intern Candidates
Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) is seeking a summer intern to assist with day-to-day activities of the department from mid-May through mid-August. The intern’s primary responsibility will be growing the MaternalPlus® program, including development of promotional and educational materials.
Applicants should be college juniors or seniors studying animal science, ag communications or a related field with an interest in genetics applied to beef cattle production and/or animal breeding. Graduate students will also be considered. Candidates should be detail-oriented, have strong communications skills and be able to work well with all types of personnel.
Submit applications — including cover letter, résumé and references — to Tonya Amen, genetic service director, Angus Genetics Inc., 3201 Frederick Ave., Saint Joseph, MO 64506; or tamen@angus.org by March 31. For more information, contact AGI staff at 816-383-5100.
Report New Association, Auxiliary Officers
State and regional Angus associations should submit their officer listings to the Association by May 1 to ensure correct listings on www.angus.org. Listings will include association name, current officers, contact information and website, if applicable. If you haven’t received a form to update your association’s officer listing, contact Amber Wahlgren or Lea Ann Maudlin at 816-383-5100 or prphotos@angus.org.
State auxiliary information is requested in the same mailing. Please be sure to complete both forms and return them in a timely manner.
Akey Named TVMDL Director
The Texas A&M System Board of Regents has named Bruce Akey director of the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. Akey began as executive deputy director at the lab in June of 2014 and had served as interim director since September 2014.
“Dr. Akey has shown outstanding leadership in veterinary diagnostics throughout his career and most recently while serving as interim at the lab,” said Bill Dugas, acting vice chancellor and dean of agriculture and life sciences at Texas A&M University. “I am pleased he will continue to guide TVMDL forward in ensuring both animal and human health for Texas.”
A graduate of the College of William and Mary with a bachelor’s degree in biology, Akey also holds a master of science in parasitology from the University of Florida and a doctorate of veterinary medicine from the University of Minnesota. From 2006 through mid-2014, Akey served as assistant dean for diagnostic operations and the executive director of the Animal Health Diagnostic Center in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University.
An agency of the Texas A&M University System, the veterinary diagnostic lab operates in College Station, Amarillo, Center and Gonzales.
For more information on the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, visit http://tvmdl.tamu.edu.
Arkansas Forage and Grassland Council Spring Forage Tour April 24
The 2015 Arkansas Forage and Grassland Council (AFGC) Spring Forage Tour will be hosted Friday, April 24, at the Pocahontas Livestock Auction Barn in Pocahontas, Ark. Two area livestock farms of different sizes and grazing programs will be visited.
Tour participants will see:
- Grazing systems on stocker calf and cow/calf operations;
- Unique electric fencing strategies;
- Practical forage options and management for grazing 300 days per year;
- Comparison of livestock water options; and
- Environmentally sound practicies for forage and livestock management.
Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. and buses leave at 9:30 a.m. and will return by 4:30 p.m.
Tour registration cost is $25 per person, $10 for students, and includes lunch, handout materials and comfortable bus transportation.
For more information or to preregister contact the Cooperative Extension office in Randolph County at 870-892-4504 or Lawrence County at 870-886-3741 or call John Jennings at 501-671-2350.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
Editor’s Note: The articles used within this site represent a mixture of copyrights. If you would like to reprint or repost an article, you must first request permission of Angus Productions Inc. (API) by contacting the editor at 816-383-5200; 3201 Frederick Ave., Saint Joseph, MO 64506. API claims copyright to this web site as presented. We welcome educational venues and cattlemen to link to this site as a service to their audience.