News Update
April 2, 2015
Beef Demand is Back
Going into the recession, things didn’t look so good for beef demand. But everyone can now breathe a sigh of relief, says new research from Oklahoma State University. Consumers are reaching for more beef product, and millennials – those who are 18 to 34-years old – are consuming more beef than those over 35. That’s promising news for the cattle industry.
In this video clip, animal scientist Deb VanOverbeke explains the study’s findings and the latest consumer trends.
Deadline Extended for NJAA Media Crew
Now in its second year, the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) is offering members the opportunity to experience communications, journalism, marketing and photography through Media Crew. The application for this opportunity has been extended to Friday, April 17. NJAA members who have completed ninth grade and have an interest in learning about media reporting may apply.
“With the positive feedback we received from last year’s participants, there was no question that this experience is beneficial to our juniors,” says Jaclyn Upperman, American Angus Association director of events and education. “For NJAA members interested in these fields they have the chance to see firsthand how writing, photography and other communications skills can be used in the agriculture industry.”
Funded by the NJAA and the Angus Foundation, selected Media Crew participants will be responsible for writing articles, taking photographs and contributing to social media outlets. In addition, Media Crew members may also shadow Association staff as they conduct interviews for the Angus Journal magazine and The Angus Report news television program.
In addition, Media Crew combined The Scoop — an established youth-led publication — and The Angus Agenda newsletter distributed daily during the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), into valuable experiences for junior members to practice their communications skills and be involved in deadline-driven productions.
Additional details about Media Crew can be found on the application, which is available online at www.njaa.info or www.angusfoundation.org. Applications should be postmarked by April 17 and mailed to Carrie Horsley, Angus Foundation director of marketing and public relations, 3201 Frederick Ave., St. Joseph, MO 64506.
Beef Quality Assurance Free
Certification Period Deadline Approaching
Through April 15, producers and those affiliated with the cattle industry can take advantage of free Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) online certification, courtesy of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. (BIVI) and the BQA www.bqa.org/team to receive your certification today.
BQA helps increase consumer confidence in the beef industry by demonstrating that the industry strives to produce a safe, wholesome product. All segments of the industry can benefit from becoming BQA-certified, including producers from cow-calf, dairy, stocker and feedlot operations, and anyone affiliated with those segments. With an overall focus on animal handling and disease treatment and prevention, online certification modules are customized to meet each segment’s needs.
“It worked great to break up the training modules and complete them over a two-week period. It fit my schedule,” says Keith York, dairy producer from Lake Geneva, Wis., and 2014 Dairy BQA Award winner. “It was not only helpful for me to review some of the new animal handling information, but it was also a great tool for my employees. It was an effective way to manage and train the employees, so they all knew where we stand on cattle handling and animal welfare issues. It’s a great tool to reaffirm best management practices.”
Beyond reinforcing industry best practices for cattle production, obtaining BQA certification can be a useful tool in an ever-changing industry landscape where consumers want to be assured they are receiving a product raised in ways that align with BQA.
More than 16,000 have enrolled in the BQA free certification program since BIVI partnered with BQA in 2013 — an impressive number that reflects both beef and dairy producers’ commitment to producing a quality beef product.
For more information about your beef checkoff investment, visit www.MyBeefCheckoff.com.
Pineywoods Cattle Congress set April 17
in San Augustine County
This year’s Pineywoods Cattle Congress on April 17 will address strategies on the new economics of beef cattle production, said Cary Sims, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent for Angelina County.
“With cattle prices at historical highs, the first topic of the day will focus on these new economics of the present beef industry,” Sims said.
The congress is a multi-county event, coordinated by AgriLife Extension offices in Shelby, Panola, Nacogdoches, Angelina, San Augustine and Sabine counties. The annual event rotates among these counties and always features a local beef producer, Sims said.
This year, the congress will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in San Augustine County at the Bennis and Maribel Steptoe Ranch, 3326 County Road 332, about three miles southwest of San Augustine.
Registration for the event is $20 and includes lunch. Two continuing education units in the general category will be offered for Texas Department of Agriculture private pesticide applicators.
Participants are requested to RSVP to the AgriLife Extension office in San Augustine at 936-275-3644, or at any AgriLife Extension office in the participating counties.
Sims said this year’s congress will give instruction in navigating the current market, rebuilding the cow herd and better managing pastures.
First up on the indoor program will be a discussion of the costs to purchase cows and bulls to rebuild herds by David Anderson, AgriLife Extension agricultural economist, College Station.
“Anderson’s knowledge of the industry is well respected across the state,” Sims said. “His second topic will be an outlook on the market. With beef prices at current levels, what impact is that making on input costs? Additionally, Anderson is poised to discuss the long-term market forecast.”
Following Anderson’s presentation will be Jason Cleere, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, College Station.
“Cleere is a much sought-after speaker as he breaks through preconceived notions on cattle selection and can speak the language of cattlemen,” Sims said.
Finishing the morning program will be Larry Redmon, AgriLife Extension state forage specialist, College Station. Redmon will speak about forage development and weed control.
“After lunch, the participants will have a chance to view some of the pastures the Steptoes have been working with,” Sims said.
AgriLife Extension 'Dealing with Drought' Program
April 9 in Austin will be Rooted in Trees
Now is the time to learn ways to help landscapes and gardens perform in the hot, dry summer months to come while conserving and protecting water resources, said Daphne Richards, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulturist for Travis County.
“Even though it’s just the beginning of spring, the well-prepared gardener should be thinking about choosing plants and trees and pondering how to best maintain them during the summer, especially under the drought conditions we often have here in Central Texas,” Richards said.
She said AgriLife Extension will present a series of Dealing with Drought in the Landscape programs over the next three months. Each will be from 10 a.m.-Noon at the agency’s office at 1600-B Smith Road in Austin.
The next program in this series, called Tree Care During Drought, will be presented April 9.
“Many trees are stressed by prolonged periods of hot, dry weather, so selecting trees that use water efficiently is one way to make your landscape more resistant to drought,” Richards said.
She said the program will address tree maintenance procedures such as mulching, proper pruning, fertilization and supplemental irrigation. It will be presented by Lara Schuman, certified arborist and acting program manager at City of Austin Urban Forestry.
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.