News Update
January 13, 2016
From the National Western Showring
Angus bulls are in the spotlight today at the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) in Denver, Colo.
The Angus Bull Sale Show began at 8 a.m. in the Stadium Arena. A panel of three judges will evaluate the bulls using a composite system to establish a sale order. Judges are Scott Bayer, Ringle, Wis.; Mark Nikkel, Maple Hill, Kan.; and Jake Tiedeman, North Platte, Neb. Attendees will be invited into the showring to inspect bulls after the grand and reserve grand champions have been selected, if time allows.
Immediately after, the ROV Angus Bull Show is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. in Stadium Arena. Judges Jeff Dameron, Towanda, Ill., and Chris Cassady, Tuscola, Ill., will evaluate the ROV entries.
Visit www.angus.org for a link to watch live coverage from the showring, as well as links to up-to-date results and more information on NWSS Angus events.
Angus Foundation Scholarship Applications Available Online
The Angus Foundation will award a number of undergraduate and graduate scholarships this year. Scholarship recipients will be recognized at the 2016 National Junior Angus Show in Grand Island, Neb.
The eligibility requirements for these general Angus Foundation scholarships remain the same. Angus youth who are graduating from high school or in college currently may also be eligible for other Angus-related scholarships that are permanently endowed and managed by the Angus Foundation.
The Foundation will also make available graduate student scholarships to young men and women actively involved in the Angus breed who are pursuing advanced degrees.
Full details of eligibility and applications are available at www.angusfoundation.org. Application deadline is May 1. For more information or questions, contact the Angus Foundation at 816-383-5100.
Red Angus Association of America Acquires Interest In Top Dollar Angus
The Red Angus Association of America (RAAA) recently acquired a major share in Top Dollar Angus, Inc. RAAA President Kim Ford made the announcement at BrainTrust during the Red Angus activities held in conjunction with the National Western Stock Show.
Tom Brink, founder of Top Dollar Angus Inc., will retain an ownership interest, and will continue to serve as president. The firm will operate as a separate, stand-alone entity from the Association.
“In working with ranchers and farmers across the nation over the past two years, it is apparent that cattlemen with superior Red Angus and Angus beef genetics are actively seeking to differentiate their calves,” said Brink. “Top Dollar Angus helps accomplish that important task. By partnering with the RAAA, the program will be strengthened, become more visible, and be more able to successfully serve commercial ranchers and farmers. Those men and women raising the beef industry’s best calves deserve a premium price, and Top Dollar Angus is now in an even better position to help make that happen."
A board of directors is now being selected and should be in place by mid-February. The board will include representation from the Red Angus and Angus breeds, and other related segments of the beef industry.
In the future, Top Dollar Angus will seek to raise additional capital from a limited number of outside investors.
For more information, please view the full news release online.
Montana Alfalfa Seed Committee
Announces Grant Funding Available
The Montana Alfalfa Seed Committee is seeking grant proposals for projects, applied research and feasibility analyses addressing Montana’s alfalfa seed industry needs and opportunities, due Feb. 3, 2016. Montana produced more than 3.3 million pounds of alfalfa seed valued at $8 million in 2014, nearly $3 million higher than 2013.
Proposals should have practical, near-term application involving practices or organizational arrangements that will stimulate an expanded alfalfa seed industry. The committee continued to emphasize research projects about alfalfa seed fertility, including levels of micronutrients and macronutrients, and timing of fertilizer application as their top priorities. Additionally, the committee is encouraging applicants with projects benefiting the health and production of alfalfa leaf cutter bees to apply.
Generally, projects should be focused on improving the quality of alfalfa seed; development or improvement of control measures, alfalfa growing culture or other research projects to benefit the industry; development of alfalfa seed industry including marketing and promotions; or disseminating current and new information that benefits the alfalfa seed industry in Montana. For a full list of eligible projects, view the entire request for proposal.
Proposals must be submitted before, on or by close of business Feb. 3, 2016, to the Agriculture Development Division, PO Box 200201, Helena, MT 59620-0201. Projects will be reviewed and selected by the Montana Alfalfa Seed Committee.
More information can be found here.
Food and Agriculture Advocate Speaking at SAU Feb. 11
J.J. Jones of The Center for Food Integrity in Gladstone, Mo., will present “A New Conversation About Food … Why it is needed?” at Southern Arkansas University’s Foundation Hall at 7 p.m. on Feb. 11, 2016.
The public is invited to attend this free event.
A “product of Northwest Kansas,” Jones has enjoyed a career in agricultural communications and marketing that began during his experiences as an active member of both 4-H and FFA. He joined The Center for Food Integrity in September 2014, and believes there are no problems, only opportunities to find solutions. This philosophy allows him to work with CFI members and partners to earn trust in today’s food system. Whether it was Jones’ time serving as a National FFA officer, working for the Kansas Beef Council or leading the Agriculture Marketing, Advocacy & Outreach team at the Kansas Department of Agriculture, he has enjoyed sharing the story of food and agriculture in the United States and around the world.
He brings tremendous communications and organizational skills to the CFI team. Jones provides a global insight into today’s food system as he has organized and led more than 30 international trade missions on behalf of farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses throughout Asia, Europe and the Americas. He has facilitated conferences and conventions and presented to groups as small as five and as large as 50,000. He is no stranger to food and agriculture and feels a sense of purpose in working with food system stakeholders to share their story.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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