News Update

January 8, 2016

Shelby Mettlen Joins Angus Media

Shelby Mettlen of Lucas, Kan., has joined the American Angus Association in her new role as assistant editor for Angus Media. Formally known as Angus Productions Inc. (API), Angus Media is a comprehensive marketing communications firm that specializes in content targeted toward America’s quality-beef producers.

Angus Media is home to the Angus Journal, the Angus Beef Bulletin and The Angus Report. Mettlen will be a regular contributor to the Angus Journal, which is the official publication of the American Angus Association, boasting a circulation of more than 14,000 subscribers.

“Few job applicants can include in their portfolio an article you’ve already published, but Shelby could,” Angus Media editor Shauna Hermel says, pointing to an article bylined by Mettlen that already appeared in the Angus Journal. “Shelby’s work ethic and desire to help producers, combined with her writing and photography skills, make her the perfect fit to help us advance our media efforts in the years ahead.”

Read more about Mettlen in the full Angus news release online.

— Announcement from Angus Media.

South Africa Opens Border for U.S. Beef

The White House announced Jan. 7 that U.S. beef exports will once again have access to the South African market. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) welcomes this announcement and praises the U.S. government for its commitment to promoting science-based standards for U.S. beef exports.

South Africa closed its market to U.S. beef exports following the first U.S. case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in December 2003. Since then, countries around the world that responded similarly to the 2003 case have reopened their markets on the basis of the BSE mitigation mechanisms that are in place in the United States.

The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) also has recognized the steps the United States has taken to minimize the risk of future BSE cases by assigning the United States a “negligible risk” classification for BSE.

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

2015 Dietary Guidelines Reveal Good News for Eggs

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and USDA have decided to remove a daily limit on dietary cholesterol and include eggs in all three recommended healthy eating patterns as a part of the the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

“The Iowa Egg Council applauds the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The release of this report amplifies what we all know to be true, that eggs are great for our health. Additionally, eggs are great for Iowa’s economy, and we should all be proud of that fact,” said Iowa Egg Council Executive Director Randy Olson.

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

— Adapted from a release by the Iowa Egg Council.

Bob Stallman Appreciation Day

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released the following statement proclaiming Jan. 6, 2016, Bob Stallman Appreciation Day. Stallman is retiring as president of the American Farm Bureau Federation after 16 years of service.

“Bob Stallman is well-deserving of recognition for his outstanding contributions to all corners of agriculture and his commitment to strengthen rural America for the hard-working families who call it home. For 16 years, Bob has led the American Farm Bureau Federation with a steady hand and [a] champion’s heart.

Under his leadership, the Farm Bureau’s advocacy efforts to connect the work being done in rural America to its impact on the lives of every American have evolved and grown. Stallman and the Farm Bureau have played an instrumental role in shaping, passing and implementing the 2014 Farm Bill, supported producers in the wake of historic drought conditions and other natural disasters, and expanded new market opportunities for farmers and ranchers through their support of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and other trade agreements.”

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

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

Kentucky Small Ruminant Grazing Conference

Kentucky’s quality forage base affords many opportunities for goat and sheep producers when it comes to grazing pastures. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture reported that goat numbers continue to rise in the state, and while sheep numbers have decreased, they are still 50% higher than in 2008. New and established producers can benefit from educational opportunities at the upcoming annual Kentucky Small Ruminant Grazing Conference.

The University of Kentucky (UK) College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is teaming up with Kentucky State University, the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office, the Kentucky Goat Producers Association and the Kentucky Sheep and Wool Producers Association to offer the 2016 conference Feb. 6 at the Boyd County Fairgrounds in Ashland.

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

— Adapted from a release by Aimee Nielson, University of Kentucky.

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

Editor’s Note: The articles used within this site represent a mixture of copyrights. If you would like to reprint or repost an article, you must first request permission of Angus Productions Inc. (API) by contacting the editor at 816-383-5200; 3201 Frederick Ave., Saint Joseph, MO 64506. API claims copyright to this web site as presented. We welcome educational venues and cattlemen to link to this site as a service to their audience.