News Update
July 9, 2015
Win a Cat® Skid Steer
at the National Angus Convention
The 2015 Angus Means Business National Convention & Trade Show promises to be an event filled with world-class education and entertainment. Activities during the three-day convention in Overland Park, Kan., can benefit cattle operations of all types — and one lucky participant will see an immediate reward for attending.
On Tuesday, Nov. 3, the American Angus Association will host a drawing for a Cat® 262D Skid Steer Loader, generously donated by Caterpillar Inc. Any convention attendee present that day will be eligible to take home the machine.
The Cat 262D, with rated operating capacity of 2,700 lb., is built with high-flow XPS hydraulics, allowing a number of work tools on the machine, including attachments for brush cutting, augers, brooms, buckets and blades.
“The Cat® 262D loader is an extremely versatile machine,” says Dustin Johansen, ag market segment manager for Caterpillar. “I think the lucky winner would be very excited with how much work they can get done in a short amount of time.”
With the release of this new machine, Caterpillar is the first manufacturer to integrate a backup camera into the cab display, Johansen explains.
For more information on the National Angus Convention, please view the full news release online.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Final Rule Released
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) applauded the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its release of the Veterinary Feed Directive final rule June 2, which will cement veterinary oversight of medically important antibiotics used in feed for food animals, ensuring the protection of animal health and welfare, as well as food safety and public health. The AVMA’s early and ongoing collaboration with the FDA has helped ensure that the rule is practical and in the best interests of animal health, public health and the veterinary profession, according to a news release by the AVMA.
The FDA, according to AVMA CEO Ron DeHaven, has worked hard to expedite the process, which will help veterinarians and food producers around the country as they prepare for the 2017 implementation of widespread changes in how antibiotics are used in food-animal production.
“The Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) is integral to the implementation of the guidance documents, and we are pleased to have had the opportunity to provide valuable input into the regulation. This is a great example of how collaboration by the FDA with stakeholders has brought about meaningful improvements and a successful outcome,” DeHaven said.
Read the full Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.
USMARC Reveals New Across-breed EPD
Throughout the nation, the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) in Clay Center, Neb., evaluates all levels of livestock production. Each year, the Center’s team of researchers releases updated adjustment factors for comparing performance EPDs across various beef breeds.
This type of research isn’t new. Larry Kuehn, USMARC geneticist, says the Center has been releasing across-breed EPD (AB-EPD) adjustments for 25 years. For the first time, adjustment factors are also presented for carcass weight.
“Commercial producers will now have a new tool to compare their animals [across breeds] for another economically relevant trait,” he says.
View the full interview on this week’sThe Angus Report. For additional information, visit the newsroom at www.BIFconference.com.
‘Farm a Month: Where Does Our Food Come From?’
“Farm a Month: Where Does Our Food Come From?” is a new learning kit developed by the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture for pre-K to first-grade students.
The Farm a Month kit provides an exciting way for teachers, families and classroom volunteers to engage preschool and elementary-aged students in agricultural-based lessons throughout the year. The kit was developed with the goal of helping foster conversations about where food and fiber comes from.
“Premiere educational resources like the Farm a Month kit are an outstanding jumping-off point for young learners,” said Julie Tesch, executive director of the Foundation. “But there is nothing quite like meeting a farmer face-to-face. We encourage educators and parents to also contact their local county Farm Bureau to connect with farmers and ranchers in their area.”
Farm a Month kits are equipped with 12 activities, each focusing on a different commodity: maple syrup, popcorn, peaches, pears, apples, oranges, lettuce, grapes, cheese, pumpkins, turkeys and cranberries. Suggested snacks and related books to read are included for each activity.
For more information, please view the full Farm Bureau release.
Beef Cattle Management Program July 30
in Elgin will have Meaty Topics
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service offices in Travis and Bastrop counties will present a Beef Cattle Management Series July 30 in Elgin.
The program will be from 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Elgin VFW Hall, 118 Old Sayers Road. Registration will be from 8-8:30 a.m. with presentations to follow.
Topics will include a pesticide laws and regulations update, trailer laws update, the future of the cattle industry and beef cattle health issues. Lunch will be from noon-12:45 p.m., followed by a panel discussion on cattle health issues, feed prices and market outlook.
Three hours of Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units –1.5 hours in laws and regulations and 1.5 hours in integrated pest management — will be offered to commercial, non-commercial and private pesticide applicators.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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