News Update
December 18, 2015
Apply for the
2016 Beef Leaders Institute
The Beef Leaders Institute (BLI) is a premier leadership experience for American Angus Association members that provides a look into the entire beef supply chain, while enhancing participant knowledge of the Association and strengthening their leadership skills. Angus producers between 25-45 years old are encouraged to apply for the ninth annual BLI scheduled for June 20-24, 2016. Applications are due back to the Association by March 1.
“The Beef Leaders Institute is an annual highlight, as we bring together Angus breeders from across the country for an in-depth look at our business,” says Jaclyn Clark, Association director of events and education. “Participants gain practical knowledge, valuable connections and a greater appreciation for the role of quality beef in today’s marketplace.”
The program brings Angus producers together in Saint Joseph, Mo., for a series of informative sessions, followed by a three-day tour across several industry segments.
During the event, BLI participants are able to tour a beef harvesting and packing facility, retailer, fabricator, feedlots and other industry segments, including the American Angus Association.
For more information, please view the full Angus news release online.
Fed Cattle Weights Begin to Moderate
Record-high fed cattle weights have moderated somewhat, but the trend is still affecting markets. David Anderson of Texas A&M says in the November Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA that delayed marketings continue to factor into lower cattle, feeder and calf prices.
The second week of November, steer weights averaged 920 pounds (lb.), 18 lb. heavier than a year ago, that was 7-lb. below the week before and the lowest since the week of Sept. 26.
Heifer dressed weights declined by a pound from last week to 848 lb. The 72-lb. difference between steer and heifer dressed weights was the smallest since mid-May.
Learn more on this week’s episode of The Angus Report. You can also watch the program at 1:30 p.m. CST Saturday, 7:30 a.m. CST Monday and 5 p.m. CST Wednesdays on RFD-TV.
Cow-calf Grazing Could Mitigate Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the Southern Great Plains could require a change of grazing management by traditional cow-calf producers, according to a study by Texas A&M AgriLife Research.
Adaptive multi-paddock grazing is an advanced, more efficient form of rotational grazing and is a potential option to reduce net GHG emissions on a cow-calf operation in the Southern Great Plains. This occurs because, compared to continuous grazing, adaptive multi-paddock grazing results in more carbon sequestration in the soil and produces a higher-quality grass that reduces methane production, the study concluded.
The scientific journal, Sustainability, recently published the findings of the study “GHG Mitigation Potential of Different Grazing Strategies in the United States Southern Great Plains.”
For more information, please view the full Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.
Considerations for Rumen Development in Weaned Calves
Proper nutritional management of weaned calves is critical in ensuring optimal health and performance. It is important to develop weaning rations that will adequately prepare calves for efficient growth and profitability in backgrounding and finishing programs or for a lifetime of productivity in the cow herd. Understanding the digestive physiology of a ruminant animal can help provide some insight about how various feedstuffs and rations may impact future production potential.
Cattle have four compartments in their stomach (rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum) that allow for efficient digestion of fibrous feeds. The rumen is the largest compartment and is where the majority of fermentation takes place with the assistance of billions of bacteria, fungi and protozoa. The rumen microbial population digests fiber components (i.e., cellulose and hemicellulose) to yield byproducts such as microbial protein and volatile fatty acids (VFAs).
For more information, please view the full Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.
Animal Agriculture Alliance
Announces 2016 Stakeholders Summit
After taking its annual Stakeholders Summit on the road last year, the Animal Agriculture Alliance announced Dec. 14 that the event will return to the Washington, D.C., area for 2016. The 2016 Stakeholders Summit, themed “Securing Animal Agriculture’s Future: Action, Please!” is set for May 5-6 at the Westin Arlington Gateway in Arlington, Va.
This year’s event will focus on securing a bright future for animal agriculture by finding solutions to the challenges facing the industry today. Attendees will hear from thought-provoking speakers, participate in engaging discussions and leave with actionable ideas they can immediately implement on their operations or in their businesses.
The Stakeholders Summit is a one-of-a-kind conference attended by a diverse group of decision makers, including representatives from farms, ranches, food processors, restaurants, grocery stores, legislatures, universities and government agencies. The Alliance will once again welcome Andy Vance, renowned agricultural journalist for Feedstuffs and active National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) member, as the 2016 Summit moderator.
For more information, view full news release online.
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