News Update

September 3, 2015

National Angus Convention, Three Reasons to Register Early

The 2015 Angus Means Business National Convention & Trade Show is just around the corner, and the premier event, hosted by the American Angus Association, is sure to attract a crowd. Angus breeders, commercial cattlemen, feedyard managers and others involved in the high-quality beef chain will gather Nov. 3-5 in Overland Park, Kan.

Here are three reasons to visit www.angusconvention.com today to complete your registration.

1. Delegates, alternates entered to win free hotel accommodations. The Association is offering two complimentary hotel nights for one delegate or alternate during the convention hotel block. Those registered before Sept. 8 will be eligible to win, and the Association will contact the recipient Sept. 9.
2. Early $75 registration presents the best value. Convention attendees are encouraged to register online and make their hotel arrangements prior to the Friday, Oct. 2, early deadline.
3. Confirm your travel plans for the must-attend event. Hotel rooms and travel are filling up quickly as cattlemen and women make plans to travel to Overland Park, Kan.

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

— Adapted from a release by Jena McRell, Angus Media.

It’s Harvest Season: Are the Children Safe?

Keeping children safe while they live, play and work on farms can be challenging. It’s even more difficult during harvest season, peak time for agricultural injuries.

A webinar exploring childhood farm hazards will be presented at Noon central time, Wednesday, Sept. 23, by two members of the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety: Youth Agricultural Safety Specialist Marsha Salzwedel and Project Manager Bryan Weichelt.

Each year, news headlines tell grim but preventable stories of death and injury. Non-working children, ages 6-and-under, are particularly vulnerable, Salzwedel said.

This webinar will describe actual childhood injury incidents and preview an injury news clippings website. Topics covered will include:

Tractors and equipment (run-overs and falls, entanglement, etc.)
Engulfment and suffocation hazards with grain harvesting and storage
Hazards resulting from harvesting crops (picking fruit/vegetables, urban/community gardens, etc.)
Exposures/hazards while visiting farms (hay rides, corn mazes, farmers’ markets, etc.)

The webinar will also describe proven safety strategies and resources that farmers, parents and employers are encouraged to use to keep children safe. Time will be provided for questions and discussion.

For more information, please view the full release online.

— Adapted from a release by Scott Heiberger, National Farm Medicine Center.

Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Internships

Applications are now being accepted for the 2016 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show internships. If you are a college junior or above and are interested in being a part of the cattle industry’s largest event you are encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA, a passion for the cattle and agricultural industry and the ability to travel to San Diego Jan. 25-30. NCBA President Philip Ellis said this internship is a great opportunity for college students to gain firsthand experience and network with leaders from every segment of the cattle and beef industry.

“Convention interns will benefit from a behind the scenes look at the cattle industry’s most prestigious event,” said Ellis. “The skills they are able to take from their experience and the contacts they make during this internship will last a lifetime.”

Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show interns are vital to the success of the event and a valued member of the team. Student interns will help many different NCBA staff members with a variety of meetings and events.

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

— Adapted from a release by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

Cogent Acquires Canada’s Foundation Genetics

Cogent Breeding Ltd. (Cogent), the leading supplier of beef and dairy genetics to over 40 countries worldwide, has acquired Foundation Genetics, the specialist Canadian bovine genetics business.

Cogent is committed to improving livestock genetics, reproduction and selection globally through resource efficiency and the application of science, best practice and precision technologies. The acquisition represents the latest landmark in an international growth program which underpins this commitment and Cogent’s ambition to become world leader in the improvement of beef and milk genetics.

The addition of Canada’s Foundation Genetics will strengthen Cogent’s international operations and provide the UK business with a strong base and route to market in new territories, as well as allowing expansion and investment in one of the world’s most important domestic markets.

Following the completion of the acquisition, the management team, sales and operational staff at Foundation Genetics will trade under the Cogent name. Dave Brand will remain as general manager of the acquired business in Canada reporting to Stuart Boothman, Cogent’s international operations manager.

For more information, please view the full release online.

— Adapted from a release by Cogent.

Texas Private Land Stewardship Workshop set for Sept. 25

A Private Land Stewardship Workshop has been slated from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 25 at the McGillivray and Leona McKie Muse Wildlife Management Area, 15 miles northeast of Brownwood off County Road 478.

The workshop is a multi-agency effort being conducted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Organizers said the program specifically targets landowners interested in managing their ranches for multiple uses, particularly for wildlife and cattle.

Individual registration is $15 and includes lunch and four Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units-two general and two integrated pest management. Tax appraisers can also earn 5.75 continuing education units at a cost of $25.

After lunch, attendees will tour the Muse Wildlife Management Area for a field component, which will include rangeland demonstrations, organizers said.

Scott Anderson, AgriLife Extension agent for Brown County, said AgriLife Extension staff will discuss basic stewardship principles, the link between the land and the water we drink, and the benefits of prescribed fire and healthy soils.

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

— Adapted from a release by Steve Byrns, Texas AgriLife Communications.

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

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