News Update

November 23, 2015

American Angus Association CEO:
Allen Moczygemba

The American Angus Association has announced a new CEO to take the reins of the nation’s largest beef cattle association, beginning Dec. 1.

Allen Moczygemba comes to the member organization with three decades of experience in leading teams and overseeing brands across industry sectors. Moczegemba is a native of San Antonio, Texas, and will serve as the executive overseeing the more than 200 employees of the association and its enitites: Angus Genetics Inc., Certified Angus Beef LLC, Angus Productions Inc. and the Angus Foundation.

“I have a very broad business background, which allows me to bring a different perspective to American Angus, so I think that will be beneficial as we start working on some of the tasks ahead of us, specifically upgrading the long-range strategic plan and then creating new opportunities for growth in the years ahead,” Moczygemba said.

In his opinion, the Angus Association has always been one step ahead of other associations, and he intends to keep it that way. He plans to use the synergy of the Association’s entities to continue to improve and move forward.

Watch this week’s The Angus Report to see the full interview. You can also tune in at 5 p.m. CST Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. CST Saturday or 7:30 a.m. CST each Monday morning on RFD-TV.

— Adapted from The Angus Report.

Trans Pacific Partnership and Japan

Vilsack arrived in Japan Nov. 19 to meet with agricultural counterparts. The United States recently concluded negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) with Japan and 10 other nations. Countries in the TPP currently account for up to 42% of all U.S. agricultural exports, totaling $63 billion. Thanks to this agreement and its removal of trade barriers, American agricultural exports to the region are poised to expand even further.

Japan is already an important market for U.S. agricultural products. In 2014, Japan ranked as our fifth largest market (behind China, Canada, Mexico and the European Union) accounting for more than $13 billion in U.S. agricultural exports. With a population of 127 million, high per capita income, an affinity for U.S. products, and a well-developed marketing infrastructure, Japan is an attractive market for U.S. exporters. The total food and drink market in Japan is valued at over $650 billion.

For more information, access the full USDA news release online.

— Adapted from a release by the USDA Office of Communications.

Central Resource for Interstate Livestock Movement

The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) and the U.S. Animal Health Association (USAHA) are proud to announce the availability of their new website dedicated to simplifying interstate travel requirements for producers, veterinarians and marketers doing business across state lines.

InterstateLivestock.com, powered by Trace First, makes it simple to find health requirements before traveling. Users enter their origin, destination and species and the website gives a comprehensive list of requirements. By entering their location they can also find the nearest approved tagging site. The site currently includes cattle regulations in its first phase, with other species planned in the future.

The site is a result of collaboration with state animal health officials to provide accurate results for movement regulations, particularly after hours. The 24/7 access is intended to give instant access to the information and support animal health protection across the United States.

The new website was unveiled at the 119th USAHA annual meeting in late October. Check out InterstateLivestock.com today.

— Adapted from a release by Jessica Greene, National Institute for Animal Agriculture.

USDA Awards Funding to Help Rural Businesses

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Nov. 20 the awarding of $3 million for 19 grants to provide technical assistance to socially disadvantaged business groups in rural areas.

“This funding will provide technical assistance to help socially disadvantaged businesses succeed,” Vilsack said. “It will support rural communities by giving business owners access to the support and training they need to start businesses or make their operations more successful.”

USDA is making the grants available through the Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant Program (formerly the Small, Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grant Program). This program supports technical assistance such as feasibility studies, leadership and training, and the development of business and strategic plans.

For more information, view the full USDA news release online.

— Adapted from a release by the USDA Office of Communications.

Cattlemen’s Webinar Series: Transportation, Trade & Taxes

On Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. CST, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association will host a cattlemen’s webinar titled Transportation, Trade & Texas.

From trade to transportation, 2015 has been a turbulent year for a number of policy issues important to cattlemen and women both on Capitol Hill and within federal agencies. Join NCBA policy experts Colin Woodall and Kent Bacus as they discuss the latest congressional activity in Washington, D.C., and explain what these issues mean to you.

Also, back by popular demand, CPA Larry Kopsa will share end of year tax tips for cattle producers. All panelists will be available for questions and answers at the end of the presentation.

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

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