News Update

October 1, 2015

Get Set for New VFD Regulations

Consumer interest in how food animals are raised and antibiotic use along the way has spurred regulatory change at the federal level, according to Zoetis veterinarian Marilyn Corbin. She provided an overview of pending changes in the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) regulations at the recent Feeding Quality Forums in Omaha, Neb., and Garden City, Kan.

Among 180 attendees, everyone had heard of the VFD, but nearly all admitted they did not know how the new rules would affect them when they go into effect in January 2017.

“An easy way to think about it is simply a prescription that you have to use if you’re feeding a feed-grade antibiotic,” Corbin said.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had VFD rules in place since 2001. These were updated to address concerns and combat efforts by special-interest groups seeking to remove all uses of feed-additive antibiotics in livestock production under the unfounded argument that such use creates antibiotic resistance in humans.

For more information, please view the full Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article.

— Adapted from a release by Lyndee Stabel, Certified Angus Beef LLC.

NCBA and PLC Public Policy Internship

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council’s (PLC) government affairs office in Washington, D.C., is accepting applications for the spring 2016 public policy internship. The deadline to submit an application is Oct. 16.

NCBA Executive Director of Legislative Affairs Kristina Butts said this is a great opportunity for students with an interest in the beef industry and public policy. The full-time internship will begin Jan. 11, 2016, and end May 13, 2016.

“The internship gives college students the opportunity to work alongside staff on a range of issues that impact U.S. cattlemen and women,” Butts said. “The internship is designed to work closely with the lobbying team on Capitol Hill; to assist with NCBA and PLC’s regulatory efforts; and to work closely with the communications team.”

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

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

Texas Beef Checkoff Unveils New Consumer Website

Txbeef.org has a fresh new look complete with eye-catching food photography, mouth-watering recipes and a section dedicated to Texas stories. The Texas Beef Checkoff has refreshed the consumer-facing website in efforts to reach audiences with renewed Texas-specific content and inspiring stories about Texans.

“The new website design and content was driven by consumer research and web user trends,” Rachel Chou, senior manager of consumer communications at the Texas Beef Council (TBC) said. “We have a unique opportunity here in Texas to proudly define our identity and own powerful Texas-specific content that resonates with our target Texas consumer. We believe we can foster a great relationship with those who are purchasing beef and cooking it for their families by having a strong online presence, providing relevant content and evolving with the digital world.”

For more information, please view the full release online.

— Adapted from a release by the Texas Beef Council.

Stockmen’s Foundation Names Scholarship Recipients

The North Dakota Stockmen’s Foundation (NDSF) named eight young leaders in North Dakota agriculture as 2015 Stockmen’s Foundation scholarship winners. NDSF President Jason Zahn presented the awards to this year’s winners during the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association’s (NDSA’s) 86th Annual Convention & Trade Show, “Here for the Long Haul,” Sept. 26 in Bismarck, N.D.

The NDSF awarded a $500 Legacy scholarships to Renae Tokach of St. Anthony. Tokach is the daughter of Richard and Kathy Tokach. In her time at Kansas State University, she was involved in the Block and Bridle club, the Collegiate CattleWomen, Sigma Alpha Professional Agriculture Sorority, Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow and the College of Agriculture Student Council.

In her junior year at North Dakota State University (NDSU), Tokach is majoring in animal sciences and agricultural communications. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in agricultural communications with a livestock organization or agribusiness.

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

— Adapted from a release by the North Dakota Stockmen’s Foundation.

AgriLife Extension Sets Predator Awareness Workshop

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will conduct a multi-county Predator Awareness Workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 23 in San Angelo.

Josh Blanek, AgriLife Extension agent in Tom Green County, said the classroom instruction will be in the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, located north of San Angelo on U.S. Highway 87, and will include afternoon field exercises.

Individual registration is $15 before Oct. 19 and $25 thereafter. The fee includes lunch.

Topics will include opening remarks and predation identification exercise; predator ecology and behavior; wildlife and livestock predation identification; new feral hog trap technologies; a field demonstration; livestock guard dogs; and trapping options.

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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