News Update

December 4, 2015

Make Plans for 2016
National Western Stock Show

For many individuals and families, the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) in Denver, Colo., is an extension of their holiday celebrations. Angus events kick off Jan. 13, 2016, and continue through the week with the annual NWSS Angus Bull Sale, Super-Point Roll of Victory (ROV) Shows, the Junior Angus Heifer Show, as well as special events hosted by the Angus Foundation.

“The best of the Angus breed come together to compete at the National Western Stock Show each year,” says Jaclyn Clark, American Angus Association director of events and education. “New this year, we look forward to hosting the first Angus Heifer Pen Show on Saturday, Jan. 16, down in the Yards.”

For years, the carload and pen Angus bull show has been a unique tradition at the NWSS, and now exhibitors are able to showcase their registered-Angus heifers in the competition that ranks their ability to present a uniform group of cattle.

To read more and view a complete Angus schedule, view the full news release online.

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

Cattle Prices Softening

The nation’s beef cattle producers are in expansion mode, and record-high cattle prices have likely seen the top, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service livestock marketing economist.

“Over the long term, we are continuing to expand, and prices are coming down from record highs because we are expanding herds,” said David Anderson, College Station. “We are starting to increase supplies, and calf prices have been coming down. However, we will still see high prices since it will take some time to build our inventory back up.”

Beef demand continues to be strong, and Anderson said this has helped during times of record retail prices.

“I don’t think we’d have had prices where they were if it weren’t for consumer demand,” he said. “If you put consumer demand and price together, I think that’s pretty compelling for higher prices.”

Read the full Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.

— Adapted from an article by Blair Fannin, Texas A&M AgriLife Communications.

The Source

The National Angus Conference & Trade Show (NACTS) was an amazing educational opportunity for members earlier in November. There was something for everyone and that included commercial cattlemen, feeders, backgrounders and, of course, seedstock producers. If you want to increase your knowledge, mark your calendar to attend this event next November in Indianapolis, Ind.

The session I hosted, “Adding Value to your Customer’s Herd,” featured Art Butler of Spring Cove Ranch and Dave Rutan of Morgan Ranches. We covered how Butler has worked to help his commercial producers enhance the value of their calves. Rutan did an amazing job through the years implementing management practices that have increased his bottom line.

Today, Rutan has a fall-calving herd and leases his bulls to another progressive rancher, Craig Baker, of Sierra del Rio Ranch, for his spring-calving herd. Rutan, in turn, leases Baker’s bulls for his fall-calving herd. Baker and Rutan work together to buy the best bulls for their environment and goals.

Read the full Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.

— Adapted from a release by Ginette Gottswiller, American Angus Association.

2016 Agricultural Outlook Forum

The USDA will host the 92nd Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum in Arlington, Va., Feb. 25-26, 2016. The theme for this year’s forum is “Transforming Agriculture: Blending Technology and Tradition.”

The challenges and opportunities for agriculture and rural America are changing. In 2015, American farmers persevered in the face of drought and an unprecedented animal disease outbreak. Demographics are also changing in rural America and across farm households. Meanwhile, technology is rapidly opening new applications for producers and throughout the marketing chain, and new markets are emerging for U.S. agricultural products.

USDA continues to seek out new and innovative ways to expand opportunity and provide support for America’s farming families, and that mission will form the basis for the 92nd Agricultural Outlook Forum.

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

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

Southwest Kansas Forage Conference

K-State Research and Extension and the Kansas Forage and Grassland Council, in collaboration with private forage industry supporters, will host the Southwest Kansas Forage Conference Feb. 17, 2016, at the Southwest Research Extension Center in Garden City, Kan., from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is no charge to attend.

This conference was last hosted in 2005 and the organizers are excited to return this once successful program back to the region, said A.J. Foster, K-State southwest area crops and soils specialist in Garden City.

Producers attending the conference will learn about nontraditional forage options, wheat grazing, summer annual forages, forage sorghum production with limited irrigation, forage quality, forage fertility management and gain insights about the past and future perspective of the hay market from a retired Kansas Department of Agriculture reporter.

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

— Adapted from a release by Steve Watson, K-State Research and Extension.

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