News Update
June 22, 2015
BIF Convention Coverage,
Angus Breeders Honored
Mississippi State University and the Mississippi Extension Service hosted the 47th annual Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Annual Convention June 9-12 at the Beau Rivage Casino and Hotel in Biloxi, Miss. The event draws a wide audience each year, ranging from breed association professionals and cattle producers to researchers and industry representatives.
Industry-leading education and discussions on the latest scientific advancements in the beef industry are at the forefront of the three-day event.
The Angus Media team provides complete online coverage of BIF meetings and events at the website www.bifconference.com. There, you’ll find summary articles from each session, audio recordings and the PowerPoint presentations given by speakers across the nation. Topics covered include rebuilding the nation’s cow herd, sustainability in the beef business and the latest genomic tools to aid cattle producers in selection decisions. More news from the 2015 event will be shared in the pages of the Angus Journal.
Throughout the conference, BIF honors cattle producers who exemplify its mission to improve the efficiency, profitability and sustainability of beef production. This year, the Angus breed is proud to congratulate two of its own for the following prestigious awards.
McCurry Angus Ranch, Burrton, Kan., was recognized as the 2015 BIF Seedstock Producer of the Year, and Woodbury Farms, Quenemo, Kan., was honored as the 2015 BIF Commercial Producer of the Year.
For more information on BIF coverage, please view the full release on the Association’s website.
TAHC Advises Animal Owners
to Prepare Now for Possible Tropical Storm
The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) advises animal owners to prepare now for possible flooding due to the tropical system currently brewing in the Gulf of Mexico. Beginning on June 16, the tropical disturbance in the western Gulf is predicted to deliver additional torrential rain and flash flooding to parts of east and north Texas, as well as Louisiana.
According to the National Weather Service, even if tropical development does not occur, a surge of deep moisture will bring a dangerous flash flood threat to the parts of Texas impacted by heavy rainfall and flooding in May. Any additional substantial rainfall will quickly prompt flash flooding.
Animals are vulnerable to severe weather associated with tropical storms. Any tropical storm system can wreak havoc on the livelihood of farmers and ranchers.
In case you need to evacuate your home or ranch, make plans for your livestock and pets. Remember that disasters often displace animals left behind so it is imperative that you have a way to identify your animal(s). Ear tags, microchips, brands, contact information attached to halters/collars, and pictures of you with your animal are good ways to prove ownership after a disaster.
For more information, please view the full news release online.
AgriLife Extension Experts Asking Texans to be Informed
With the possibility of tropical storms and hurricanes hitting the Lone Star State during hurricane season, experts from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are reminding Texans their agency has a number of useful publications specific to protecting households, farms and ranches.
“Hurricane season has begun and Texans are already starting to feel its effects,” said Andy Vestal, AgriLife Extension specialist and emergency management expert in College Station.
“At this time, one of the main things people in affected areas can do is simply to shelter in place. They should not try to drive or perform other unnecessary activities during inclement weather,” Vestal said. “While rains and high winds are to be expected from recent activity in the Gulf of Mexico, Texans should also be alert to possible tornadoes.”
Vestal said another way people can prepare for disaster is to be informed, and suggested Texans check out the AgriLife Extension publications available through the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Bookstore website, or the Texas Extension Disaster Education Network website, Texas EDEN.
For more information, please view the full news release.
FFA and 4-H Youth Get Help to Beat the Heat
It is camp season in Missouri, and this year’s FFA and 4-H campers will have extra protection from the sun thanks to FCS Financial.
The agricultural lending cooperative donated 2,000 bottles of sunscreen for the campers at Camp Rising Sun; Camp Clover Point; Lake of the Ozarks 4-H Camp; NEMO Camp; Perry County 4-H Camp and Marion, Lewis, Pike, Ralls, Monroe, Clark and Shelby Counties 4-H Camp. The sunscreen is broad spectrum providing proportional protection against UVA and UVB rays with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 50.
According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, one blistering sunburn in childhood more than doubles a person’s chances of developing the deadliest form of skin cancer later in life and less than half of all teenagers use sunscreen. Use of a broad spectrum sunscreen is one defensive measure that can be used along with wearing protective clothing, sunglasses, hats with brims and limiting hours in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
For more information, please view the full release online.
NMSU Camp Teaches Future Ranchers
Many Aspects of the Business
After a week of learning about the many aspects of managing a ranch, the participants at the New Mexico Youth Ranch Management Camp presented their plans for combining a cattle operation with wildlife and forest management to make the Valles Caldera National Preserve a feasible business.
New Mexico State University’s (NMSU’s) Cooperative Extension Service and members of the beef industry of New Mexico sponsored the fourth annual ranch camp during the first week of June.
“We are proud to offer this one-of-a-kind program for the future cattle producers of our state,” said Jon Boren, NMSU College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences associate dean and director of the Cooperative Extension Service. “The collaboration between our Extension specialists, county Extension agents and members of the ranching industry has provided an opportunity for the youth to see the many aspects of managing a ranch.”
For more information, please view the full release online.
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