News Update

April 28, 2015

American Angus
Auxiliary Nominations Open

If you feel strongly about the future of the Angus breed and the American Angus Auxiliary’s mission, serving on the national level is a wonderful way to contribute, says Cortney Holshouser, Auxiliary advisor and past president.

“The friendships, experiences and achievements made possible by serving in a leadership position will be so rewarding,” Holshouser says. “We invite all interested Angus breeders to get involved as we help provide a brighter future for our breed.”

The American Angus Auxiliary is now accepting nominations for the following positions: the 2015-2016 secretary/treasurer and directors for regions 4, 5 and 6 (the Midwest, South and Northeast).

If you or someone you know is interested in a position on the American Angus Auxiliary executive team, please request a nomination form from Holshouser kncholshouser@aol.com, who also serves as the Nomination Committee chair, and return by Aug. 1.

For more information, please view the full release.

— Adapted from a release by Cortney Holshouser, American Angus Auxilliary.

Seeking Golf Tournament Sponsors and Players

The Angus Foundation’s annual golf tournament will be July 14 at the Forest Ridge Golf Club, Broken Arrow, Okla. The golf tournament is hosted in conjunction with the 2015 NJAS. Proceeds from the fundraising activity benefit Angus education, youth and research.

The Gary and Sharon Stevenson Family of Flying G Ranch, Caldwell, Texas, purchased the golf tournament sponsorship for $2,000 at Angus Night on the Mountain at Spruce Mountain Ranch, Larkspur, Colo., in January. There are eight other sponsorship levels available. The deadline to be a sponsor is May 29.

To play in the tournament, adults can register at $100 per person, and junior golfers (NJAA members) can register at $75 per person. Registration deadline is June 22. After June 22, a $10 late registration fee applies per player.

Visit www.angusfoundation.org to find out how you and your Angus farm can be recognized as a sponsor or participate in the 2015 Angus Foundation Golf Tournament.

— Adapted from a summary by Shauna Hermel, Angus Journal.

Tyson Foods Strives to Eliminate Human Antibiotics

Tyson Foods Inc. said April 28 that it is striving to eliminate the use of human antibiotics from its U.S. broiler chicken flocks by the end of September 2017. The company will report annually on its progress, beginning with its fiscal 2015 Sustainability Report. Tyson Foods has already stopped using all antibiotics in its 35 broiler hatcheries, requires a veterinary prescription for antibiotics used on broiler farms and has reduced human antibiotics used to treat broiler chickens by more than 80% since 2011.

Tyson Foods is also forming working groups with independent farmers and others in the company’s beef, pork and turkey supply chains to discuss ways to reduce the use of human antibiotics on cattle, hog and turkey farms. Those groups will begin meeting this summer.

Tyson Foods’ international business is committed to taking similar measures on antibiotic use in its global chicken operations but has not set a timeframe.

— Adapted from a release by Tyson Foods, Inc.

Farmers and Ranchers Will Soar with Agricultural Drones

Farmers and ranchers are eager to use airborne drones to improve their businesses, but they need flexibility to use these tools to their full potential, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) told the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in comments focusing on performance-based standards, in its rule on the “Operation and Certification of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems.”

Farmers and ranchers have increased their yields while reducing their environmental footprint, thanks to advances in precision agriculture.

“Drones are the next evolution in American agriculture,” said Dale Moore, AFBF executive director of public policy. “Used properly, they let us grow more food on available land using less water and fewer pesticides. High-tech cameras and other airborne sensors give us important tools with which to reduce erosion and keep agricultural runoff to the absolute minimum. This is important not just for farmers but for anyone else who cares deeply about the environment. These tools won’t do anyone any good if they’re grounded by restrictions that make them too cumbersome to use.”

For more information, please view the full release.

— Adapted from a release by the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Range Management Workshop set
for May 1 in Seymour, Texas

The Baylor County Range Management Workshop will be May 1 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office in Baylor County, 500 N. Main St. in Seymour, Texas.

“The program is designed to help producers make decisions on the control of mesquite and prickly pear to improve rangelands,” said Martin Shaw, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Baylor County.

Topics and speakers will include managing mesquite, chemical control methods from Bayer CropScience and Dow AgroSciences, and a fencing demonstration and benefits of fixed-wire fences.

For more information about the Baylor County Range Management Workshop, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.

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

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

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