News Update
May 15, 2015
Tips to Improve Your Pastures
As you’re retaining heifers, expanding your cow herd and making an investment in Angus bulls, it’s also time to consider the quality of your pastures and how it can impact your herd’s performance. Soil sampling is an important tool in maintaining the proper fertilization levels in your pasture and overall forage quality.
The value received from a soil test vastly outweighs the cost. Depending on your state, it may be free or have a very minimal charge through the Cooperative Extension Service. Soil tests can be taken at any time during the year and allow you to maintain the optimal pH through lime applications. Additionally, with fertilizer an expensive input cost, soil tests allow you to apply correct levels of phosphorus and potassium to maintain peak forage quality without overapplications.
For more information on pasture improvements, please view the full article on the Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA website.
Farm Bureau Kicks Off 2015 Photo Contest
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), in conjunction with the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, has announced the 2015 Farm Bureau Photo Contest. The contest is open to all state and county Farm Bureau members and staff above 18 years of age at the time of entry, including professional photographers.
Photo submissions will be used to accurately portray today’s agriculture and the safe practices of farmers and ranchers and also for future publications, promotions and social media by AFBF and related companies. All photos submitted must exemplify safe practices on the farm or ranch.
The contest will run May 15, 2015, through March 31, 2016. Photos may be entered in four categories: Farm Families, Farm Labor, Technology and Consumer Outreach. Monetary prizes will be awarded to the top three placing photos from each category. First place winners will be awarded $150, second place $100 and third place $75.
Judges will also select a “Best in Show” winner for the most dynamic photo entered across all categories as well as two runners-up. The Best in Show winner will receive $400, with first runner-up and second runner-up receiving $300 and $200, respectively.
For more information on how to register and to view the contest rules and regulations, visit the 2015 Farm Bureau Photo Contest webpage. Questions about the contest may be sent via email to photocontest@fb.org.
Missouri House Passes SB 131
This week, the Missouri House of Representatives by a bipartisan 111-40 vote passed legislation that would exempt livestock disaster payments from income taxes.
The legislation (S.B. 131) is an omnibus bill and carries many provisions. The disaster assistance language was originally sponsored by Rep. Caleb Jones (R-50) and Sen. Dave Schatz (R-26). The other provision important to the Missouri Cattlemen’s Assocation (MCA), according to Mike Deering, MCA executive vice president, is legislation originally sponsored by Rep. Joe Don McGaugh (R-39) that specifies that a livestock owner cannot be held strictly liable for damages caused by trespassing livestock.
The omnibus bill is sponsored by Sen. Mike Parson (R-28) and was carried in the House by Rep. Warren Love (R-125). This legislation now moves to the senate for a vote. However, Deering said the chances of the legislation passing are slim.
“There is a great deal of support for S.B. 131 in the senate but the legislation will likely suffer because of political bickering in the senate,” said Deering. “As a result of filibustering in the senate, it is highly unlikely any legislation will be allowed to move forward this legislative session, which ends tomorrow, Friday, May 15. It is unfortunate that good legislation is being held hostage because of politics.”
For more information, please visit MCA’s website.
Texas A&M Faculty Find Ways to Stop Global Food Waste
Agriculture faculty at Texas A&M University are talking trash — as in too much food ends up there.
Now they are vowing to team up and figure out how to reduce global food waste by 5% over the next decade, according to Steve Searcy, the group’s facilitator and head of the Texas A&M biological and agricultural engineering department.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has estimated that 30% of the food produced in the world is never consumed due to various factors that cause waste, Searcy said.
Searcy showed statistics pointing to food waste in both developed and developing regions of the world and attributed causes to both the farm producers and retailers, as well as to consumers.
“With the growing global population, we can’t afford a 30% loss in our ability to feed the world,” he said.
To meet the goal of decreasing waste, Searcy said, the agriculture and life sciences faculty along with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas A&M AgriLife Research will assess the problem, develop partnerships and collaborate more fully with each other.
For more information, please view the full news release online.
Western Land Symposium
The Western Land Symposium takes place July 13-14, where a variety of leading experts will discuss a number of topics affecting our region. Subjects such as real estate, natural resources, investment, finances, private property rights, mineral, oil and gas rights, legal information, water rights, soil, economics, and more.
The Western Land Symposium will be hosted at the Crane Creek Country Club, 500 W. Curling Dr., Boise, ID 83702.
Real estate agents and brokers are asked to attend on July 15 for a real estate marketing session. You must be licensed to attend the marketing session. If you are planning to sell or buy please be sure your agent or broker attends this session.
Email hannah@knipeland.com for a registration form.
For more information, visit Knipe Land’s website www.knipeland.com.
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