News Update
May 1, 2015
Make Note of 2015 NJAS Deadlines
The National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) is the highlight of the year for many Angus youth and their families. This year, the event is being hosted in Tulsa, Okla., and is themed “Angus — Leading the Way.”
The NJAS takes place July 13-18 in Tulsa’s Expo Square.
National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) members are encouraged to pay attention to upcoming deadlines to make sure documents are completed in a timely manner. Here’s a summary of what’s coming up soon.
Friday, May 15
- Ownership and entry deadline for the 2015 NJAS. Requirements and rules can be found online.
- NJAA writing, photography, creative writing and graphic design entries due.
- Entry and recipe deadline for the American Angus Auxiliary-sponsored All-American Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) Cook-Off.
For a complete list of deadlines, access the full release online.
Committee Advances Two Bills to Reauthorize Programs Vital to Agriculture
On April 30, the House Agriculture Committee approved H.R. 2088, the United States Grain Standards Act Reauthorization Act of 2015, and H.R. 2051, the Mandatory Price Reporting Act of 2015. Each bill reauthorizes a law set to expire on Sept. 30, 2015, and ensures that the laws continue to operate in a manner that serves the public interest.
H.R. 2088 would ensure that the official inspection and weighing of bulk grains and oilseeds are done in a reliable, uninterrupted, consistent and cost-effective manner.
H.R. 2051 would reauthorize livestock mandatory price reporting, which has become an essential tool for producers and packers to compete as the industry continues to evolve.
“These are important laws for agriculture, and I appreciate the input from industry and stakeholders and the diligence of my colleagues on the committee,” Chairman Michael Conaway said. “These bills promote competition and certainty. It is essential for grain inspections to take place in a timely fashion, given that 95% of the world’s population resides outside the U.S. These inspections guarantee that we have access to global markets. Similarly, livestock reporting provides transparency in the market to make sure producers get a fair price. This system allows producers and packers to access timely and accurate information regarding the price of the products they buy and sell. After hearing from all stakeholders, I am pleased the committee found bipartisan consensus to put forth these two strong bills.”
Read the full House Agriculture Committee news release online.
Iowa Poultry Association Cites Urgency Regarding Avian Influenza
The Iowa Poultry Association and Iowa Egg Council have been informed of a total of 11 cases of avian influenza on commercial farms, all in northwest Iowa. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardships announced three of those poultry cases April 30 — one each in Buena Vista County, Sioux County and Clay County.
With the latest notifications, Executive Director Randy Olson says this remains a serious and urgent situation for the poultry industry, yet reassures consumers they do not face health concerns with consumption of chicken or eggs.
On behalf of his organizations, Olson has been working in concert with state and federal regulatory agencies, urging them to swiftly and rigorously coordinate efforts to address and curtail the disease.
Just as with the earlier confirmed cases, safety and security measures are in full force to contain the spread of the disease. Olson says, “It’s an absolute necessity for everyone, including the public, to avoid going anywhere near these farms to prevent this disease from spreading.”
Find more information about avian influenza in Iowa in the full news release.
Patch Burning for Targeted Rangeland Control Featured in May 7 Webinar
Picking the time and place to conduct a prescribed patch burn for maximum rangeland brush management will be the topic of the May 7 webinar by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service ecosystem science and management unit.
“Patch Burning and Grazing: Why it Works and How to Do It” is next in the Texas Range Webinar Series scheduled on the first Thursday of each month from noon to 1 p.m., said Pete Flores, webinar coordinator in Corpus Christi. The webinar is free.
Presenters for this webinar, which will run longer than normal, will be AgriLife Extension range specialists Bob Lyons, Uvalde; Morgan Russell, San Angelo; and Megan Clayton, Corpus Christi.
“Prescribed fire is a beneficial tool for managing rangelands by increasing nutrient cycling and improving forage quality,” Lyons said. “Patch burning, the practice of burning smaller patches, can aid in targeted grazing by creating a mosaic of plant communities and structure on your land.”
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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