News Update

November 5, 2015

Angus Elects New Board Officers, Members

The American Angus Association announced new members and officers elected to its Board of Directors during the 132nd Annual Convention of Delegates in Overland Park, Kan. Those serving the Association for three-year terms are: James Coffey of Hustonville, Ky.; Chuck Grove of Forest, Va.; Mike McCravy of Bowdon, Ga.; Don Schiefelbein of Kimball, Minn.; and Mick Varilek of Geddes, S.D.

Jim Sitz, Dillon, Mont., was elected the new Association president and chairman of the Board of Directors. He succeeds Steve Olson, Hereford, Texas. Charlie Boyd, May’s Lick, Ky., was elected by delegates to serve as Association vice president and vice chairman of the Board of Directors. Kevin Yon, Ridge Spring, S.C., will serve as the 2015-2016 treasurer.

A total of 318 delegates from 44 states, Washington D.C., and Canada represented Association members during the Annual Convention of Delegates hosted during the 2015 Angus Means Business National Convention & Trade Show at the Overland Park Convention Center.

More than 2,100 Angus breeders and commercial cattlemen attended the three-day event in Overland Park, Kan., and enjoyed educational sessions, a packed trade show, as well as fun and entertainment.

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

Denver Voters Impact National Western

Denver voters overwhelmingly approved Measure 2C, which will invest in Denver’s tourism industry by improving the Colorado Convention Center and creating the new National Western Center, a year-round educational, research, commerce and entertainment campus that will be the permanent home for the National Western Stock Show held each January.

“Denver gets so much by voting for the transformation of the Stock Show site to a cutting-edge, year-round campus. Historic neighborhoods will be reconnected. New parks and open space will be created. The South Platte River will be restored,” said Mayor Michael B. Hancock. “Over the next decade, this century-old part of Denver will become a modern home for agriculture innovation and global agribusiness while we create thousands of new jobs and also make significant improvements to the Colorado Convention Center and our tourism industry.”

With voter approval of Measure 2C, per House Bill 1344, Colorado State University will have access to $250 million in state funding to accelerate and build CSU education and research facilities and expand the university’s programming to the National Western Center. Allocation of state funding was contingent on the passage of 2C.

For more on the measure, visit the National Western Stock Show online.

— Adapted from a release by the National Western Stock Show.

Senate Passes Resolution to Withdraw WOTUS Rule

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council (PLC) appreciate the bi-partisan show of support in the Senate against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers’ “waters of the United States” rule. NCBA President Philip Ellis said the joint resolution passed by the Senate (53-44) could finally put this burdensome regulation to rest.

“America’s cattlemen and women are drowning in federal regulation that adds burdens, costs and uncertainty to our businesses,” said Ellis. “The WOTUS regulation is the greatest overreach yet. If allowed to take effect, it would give EPA jurisdiction over millions of acres of state and private property. Without action by Congress and the President to withdraw this rule; producers, stakeholders and states will be forced to continue litigation, adding millions of dollars in expenses and years in delay.”

The joint resolution passed by the Senate was brought by Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) under the Congressional Review Act. This resolution would order the EPA and Corps to withdraw the WOTUS rule and would prevent the agencies from further similar rulemaking. The joint resolution must now be passed by the House and signed by the President.

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

House Agriculture Committee Examines National Security

On Nov. 4 the House Agriculture Committee commenced its first in a new series of hearings to examine the relationship between agriculture and national security. In the opening hearing, members and witnesses examined the threats and vulnerabilities to agricultural security, as well as the economic significance associated with such threats.

Members of the Agriculture Committee recognize the challenges faced by American agriculture and the need to build a stronger coalition among rural and urban interests that not only support agriculture policy, but also understand the role U.S. agriculture plays in maintaining a strong economy and stability around the world. With fewer and fewer Americans connected to production agriculture, many in Congress fail to recognize the importance of sound farm policy to our national security.

For more information, please view the full House Ag release online.

— Adapted from a release by Haley Graves, House Committee on Agriculture.

NMSU Symposium to Focus on Cattle Reproduction

Healthy and reliable reproduction in beef cattle can make a big difference in whether a cattle operation is successful. With cattle and calf production generating more than $1.5 billion in revenue across New Mexico during 2014, success in the industry has a large impact on the state’s economy.

Livestock reproduction will be the topic of a symposium Nov. 17 at the Civic Center in Clayton. The event will be sponsored by New Mexico State University’s Union County Cooperative Extension Service.

“NMSU experts will provide the latest information of importance to ranchers,” said Whitney Brock, Union County agriculture agent and program manager. “We will cover a wide range of topics, from nutrition to diseases, that can be very valuable for cattle producers.”

Registration cost is $25 at the door, but participants are asked to RSVP by Nov. 5 so organizers can get a head count. Please RSVP to Brock at 575-374-9361 or 505-306-4966.

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

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

— Adapted from a release by Darrell Pehr, New Mexico State University.

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

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