News Update

August 27, 2015

Success in Seattle, 2015 LEAD Conference

The Leaders Engaged in Angus Development conference, commonly known as LEAD, is a four-day event that brings together National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) members from across the nation to learn about leadership development, agriculture and what life is like in other parts of the country. This year, more than 110 NJAA members ranging in age from 14 to 21 years old traveled to Seattle, Wash., Aug. 6-9 to take part in the annual event sponsored by the Angus Foundation.

“This year’s theme was ‘Success in Seattle’ and it was so much fun getting to explore the city with our Angus juniors and watch them experience new parts of the country, while learning about leadership and building friendships for years to come,” says Jaclyn Clark, American Angus Association director of events and education.

While in Washington, participants visited the famous Pike’s Place Market, toured the Space Needle and spent time on the beach. They also traveled to Taylor Shellfish Farms and Bellwood Acres, an apple orchard and distillery. When not exploring all that the Pacific Northwest had to offer, the juniors attended leadership workshops and heard from industry experts and motivational speakers.

To read more highlights from the 2015 LEAD conference, access the full Angus release.

— Adapted from a release by Nicole Lane, Angus Media.

The Future of DNA Technology

Opportunties for genomic advancements in the beef cattle business are relatively endless as DNA-testing technology continues to evolve.

Michael Bishop, of Illumina, explains that a producer’s ability to more accurately and rapidly make herd improvements will steadily increase as new technology is developed. He even foresees a time when something similar to chute side analysis will be possible.

“When I say chute side testing, I mean, be able to have a platform of technology that would perhaps be available at a more local level, say in the farm office, or in a local veterinary clinic, that will allow someone to be able to do the analysis in a more local environment,” Bishop said.

He adds that commercial cattle produers will be able to use the technology to make breeding decisions that will add value for specific traits and lead to greater rewards at the sale barn.

Watch the full interview on this week’s The Angus Report.

— Adapted from The Angus Report.

Follow Us to Kansas

Last fall, the inaugural Angus Means Business National Convention & Trade Show proved to be one of the industry’s must-attend events for its membership, education and trade show venues. This year, participants will have the added opportunity to see some great cattle.

The Kansas Angus Association will host a tour Monday, Nov. 2, prior to the official start of the convention, which is slated for Nov. 3-5 in Overland Park, Kan. The Kansas Angus Tour will allow attendees to spend a day visiting area Angus farms and ranches. Buses will depart at 7:30 a.m. from the Overland Park Convention Center’s courtyard level parking lot.

The tour will make three tour stops: Mill Brae Ranch, Maple Hill, Kan.; May-Way Farms Inc., Baldwin City, Kan.; and Chair Rock, Greeley, Kan.

An additional $75 registration fee applies for the Kansas tour, and attendees can reserve their spot when registering for the National Angus Convention & Trade Show.

For more details, access the complete news release online.

— Adapted from an article by Carrie Heitman, Angus Media.

Take the Pledge for Ag Safety

In 2013, the U.S. Department of Labor found farming accounted for 500 fatalities, or 23.2 deaths per 100,000 workers. It is well-known that agriculture is one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States, but the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) asserts many ag-related deaths can be prevented through education.

That is why since 1944 the third week in September has been dedicated as National Farm Safety & Health Week. This year’s theme for Safety Week (Sept. 20-26) is “Ag safety is not just a slogan, it’s a lifestyle.” NECAS invites all farmers and ranchers to join in and promote safe and healthy practices on their farms and ranches.

To encourage everyone involved in agriculture to play a role in making the farm or ranch a safety-centered environment, the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH) has launched an Ag Safety Pledge Campaign.

The Pledge, which opened Aug. 1 and continues through the end of September, includes a list of 11 safety reminders that can be followed to make ag safety part of one’s lifestyle.

To view the safety tips, access the full Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.

— Adapted from an article by Paige Nelson, Angus Media.

Kansas Native Wins John Deere Gator
in ‘I Am FARMLAND’ Sweepstakes

When Hutchinson, Kan., native John Wildin put his entry form into the I Am Farmland sweepstakes box during the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association convention this past February, he never dreamed he would win a John Deere Gator. The promotion was the brainchild of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) to help create awareness about the documentary Farmland and encourage the agriculture community to help bring the film to consumers across the country.

“When I got the call I let it go to voicemail, and then even after I called them back [USFRA] I still didn’t believe I had won,” said Wildin, whose great-grandfather homesteaded on the Arkansas River.

Wildin’s father became more aggressive, expanding the grain business and starting a dairy. He sold refurbished farm equipment off Highway 50 and used the money to grow the farm. Today, John’s brother, Jerry, is farming the land they still own in Arkansas.

For more information, view the full news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Joanna Schroeder, U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance.

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