News Update

July 6, 2015

National Junior Angus Show
Attracts Near-Record Numbers

The signs will be difficult to miss — the laughter of reunited friends, the aroma of cattle and hay, and the rumble of hooves coming off the trailer — as more than 750 Angus juniors from 36 states arrive at the 2015 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) in Tulsa, Okla.

Expo Square at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds will set the stage for what’s expected to be an NJAS for the record books. Nearly 1,800 individual head of Angus cattle are entered to compete in one of the year’s most anticipated events July 13-18.

“We are thrilled with the numbers for this year’s NJAS and cannot wait for the juniors and their families to arrive in Tulsa,” says Jaclyn Upperman, American Angus Association director of events and education. “Our junior nationals is known as one of the largest junior-breed beef shows in the country, and this year will be no exception.”

With the size of this year’s show, Tulsa is measuring up to the reputation created the last time the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) gathered there. In 2007, Oklahoma was the NJAS host state, and much like this year, numbers were record breaking.

For more information on this year’s NJAS, please view the full release on the Association’s website.

— Adapted from a release by Sarah Harris, Angus Media.

Keep Your Barbecue Safe

For many people, summer holidays such as the Fourth of July mean enjoying time outdoors and firing up the grill. Elizabeth Boyle, meat safety and quality specialist for K-State Research and Extension, said barbecuing requires some safety practices to ensure everyone enjoys the food and the holiday.

Boyle’s first food safety tip is to avoid cross-contamination. Frequently washing hands is necessary.

“Washing your hands becomes important, especially with grilling,” Boyle said. “We are taking food outside, handling door knobs, handling tongs, handling raw meat and poultry, and handling fresh fruits and vegetables.”

If you don’t have a sink readily available or soap and water on hand, at least use hand sanitizing wipes to try to decontaminate your hands, she said.

Also make sure to decontaminate utensils and cooking supplies. Common items that could lead to cross-contamination include cutting boards, knives and other tableware, and meat thermometers.

Boyle said to use separate cutting boards for meat and produce, or thoroughly wash the cutting board after each use with soap and hot water. This prevents uncooked meat juices from contaminating fresh, uncooked produce.

Learn more tips in the full news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Katie Allen, K-State Research and Extension News.

KDA Seeks Participants for Beef Genetics Trade Missions

The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) is seeking individuals to participate on agricultural trade missions to Argentina and Uruguay. Tentatively, the Argentina mission will take place July 26 to Aug. 1, and the Uruguay mission Sept. 13-19. The goal of these missions is to provide an opportunity for Kansas purebred beef cattle producers and allied industry to continue developing relationships with livestock producers in Argentina and Uruguay in an effort to increase market opportunities for United States and Kansas beef genetics.

The primary activity during each mission will be to interact with breeders and promote the use of U.S. beef genetics while attending major livestock shows including the Expocisión Rural (Palermo) in Argentina or ExpoPrado in Uruguay. Kansas ranchers and related agribusinesses specializing in Angus and Hereford genetics are invited to participate.

This trade mission is funded in part by the United States Livestock Genetic Export, Inc. Selected participants will be eligible for $1,000 travel stipends for airfare depending upon number of applicants and fund availability. Participants will be responsible for the cost of hotels, meals and other incidental expenses.

For more information, please view the full release online.

— Adapted from a release by the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

QLF and ADM Form Liquid Feed Joint Venture

Quality Liquid Feeds (QLF), Inc. and Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) Company announced July 1 that the two companies have entered into a 50-50 joint venture for the production and sale of liquid feed supplements for livestock. The joint venture consists of four liquid feed production facilities formerly owned by ADM — in Twin Falls, Idaho; Billings, Mont.; Fremont, Neb.; and Johnstown, Colo. — as well as the Loomix® brand. The new venture, which will be called Alliance Liquid Feeds, will serve portions of the Western United States.

QLF continues to be owned by the Berg family and will continue to market QLF-branded liquid feed supplements out of their 12 facilities in the Midwest, East and Southwest United States.

“One of the ways we are increasing earnings power at ADM is by partnering with other great companies,” said Brent Fenton, president, ADM Animal Nutrition. “In this case, we’re joining with a strong partner in QLF, which allows us to expand our capabilities while simultaneously reducing the capital we have invested in the liquid feed business.”

For more information, please view the full news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Quality Liquid Feeds.

Stocker Cattle Program set for July 8 in West

A stocker cattle program is set for July 8 at the West Auction Barn, 20645 N. Interstate Highway 35 in West. The program is hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service offices in McLennan, Limestone, Bell, Bosque, Hill and Coryell counties. Cost is $10 with registration beginning at 8 a.m. Two general continuing education Texas Department of Agriculture units will be offered.

The program will begin at 8:30 a.m. It will feature a stocker cattle health update from John Davidson, Boehringer-Ingelheim veterinarian, and Kelly Cross, area representative with Boehringer-Ingelheim.

Brian Uptmore, West Auction Barn, will present purchasing quality/value stocker calves. Jesse Carver, Livestock Marketing Association region executive officer, will give a presentation on challenges for auction barns to remain compliant.

Kyle Latham, Midcontinent Livestock Supplements, will provide a discussion on feed and mineral supplementation. Lunch will follow and is sponsored by Midcontinent Livestock Supplements and Boehringer-Ingelheim.

For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.

— Adapted from a release by Blair Fannin, Texas A&M AgriLife Communications.

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