News Update

February 5, 2016

Producing High-health Calves

Mark Hilton would prefer that business was not quite so good. He would prefer that clients needed the services and products of his profession less frequently. He’s a veterinarian, but Hilton likes it when cattle producers don’t need to treat sick animals.

“I’m pro-nutrition and pro-management, so you don’t have to use so much medicine,” Hilton told producers attending a Cattlemen’s College® session hosted during the 2016 Cattle Industry Convention in San Diego, Calif. The Purdue University veterinarian shared advice for raising healthy calves, reducing the incidence of disease and avoiding the associated costs.

The costs are great. As evidence, Hilton explained how costs associated with treating feedlot cattle continue to climb. He cited data from 2014 showing that, on average, cattle feeders lost $119 on every animal that was treated for sickness one time. If an animal was treated twice, lost revenue increased to $365. Hilton said cattle treatment costs incurred all along the production chain could be reduced with increased attention to nutrition and management, starting with the breeding female.

To read more, access the Angus news article online.

— Adapted from an article by Troy Smith, Angus Media.

NCBA and PLC Accepting Internship Applications

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council (PLC) government affairs office in Washington, D.C., is accepting applications for a 2016 summer public policy intern, as well as a summer law clerk. The deadline to submit an application for either position is Feb. 24.

NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kristina Butts said these internships are a great opportunity for students with an interest in the beef industry and public policy.

The public policy internship will give students an opportunity to learn about career options and provide practical experience.

The summer law clerk will provide support to NCBA’s Environmental Counsel on issues relating to environmental legislation and regulations that impact beef producers. To apply for the law clerk position, students must be currently enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school.

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

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

Convicted Cattle Thief Sentenced

Clinton Easter, 47, of Eastland County, Texas, was convicted Jan. 28 of two first-degree felony cattle theft charges in Coleman County and sentenced to 30 years in prison. He will serve 30 years confinement concurrently on each case. Easter had also been charged with the same or similar offenses in Eastland, Comanche and Stephens counties.

Easter was found guilty after an investigation led by Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Special Rangers Joe Roberts and H.D. Brittain revealed he was responsible for the thefts. TSCRA Special Rangers Wayne Goodman, Marvin Wills and John Bradshaw assisted with the investigation. Roberts said additional prosecutions are expected to be handed down in this case.

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

— Adapted from a release by the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.

Meat Matters Campaign

The Animal Agriculture Alliance unveiled a new campaign focused on promoting the role of meat and poultry in a healthy, balanced diet. The Meat Matters initiative counters claims made by activist groups about the nutritional value of animal protein, as well as the sustainability of meat and poultry production.

“We’ve heard a lot of concern over the years from our members about activists pushing the “Meatless Mondays” movement in their local schools and communities,” said Kay Johnson Smith, Alliance president and CEO. “This misleading movement is another tactic to eliminate consumer choice — the ability that we each have to determine the right food choices for ourselves and our families. Our new campaign will help consumers sort through the myths and misinformation to understand the true value of meat and protein in their diets.”

The Alliance has produced and maintained consumer-facing resources explaining the truth behind “Meatless Mondays” for nearly a decade, and the new Meat Matters materials take that content to a new level with eye-catching graphic design and easily digestible information.

You can find more information and to take the “Meat Matters” pledge online.

— Adapted from a release by the Animal Agriculture Alliance.

49th Annual World Ag Expo

World Ag Expo will kick off its 49th annual show Tuesday, Feb. 9, in Tulare, Calif. Gates open at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, and the playing of the National Anthem is expected shortly after.

The largest annual agricultural exposition of its kind, World Ag Expo touts more than 1,500 exhibitors who display cutting-edge agricultural technology and equipment on 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space.

A total of 49 seminars will be offered in dairy, irrigation, international trade and general agriculture categories. New this year, World Ag Expo will have seminars in apiology, as well as mentorship for women in agriculture. Live webcams of World Ag Expo’s show grounds can be viewed online.

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

— Adapted from a release by the World Ag Expo.

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

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