News Update

March 2, 2016

AGI Seeks Intern Candidates

Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) is seeking a summer intern to assist with day-to-day activities of the department from mid-May through mid-August. The intern will assist with a number of AGI activities and initiatives related to Angus performance programs.

Applicants should be current or prospective graduate students, or college juniors or seniors studying animal science or a related field with an interest in genetics applied to beef cattle production. Candidates should be detail-oriented, have strong communications skills and be able to work well with all types of personnel.

Submit applications — including cover letter, résumé and references — to Dan Moser, president, Angus Genetics Inc., 3201 Frederick Ave., Saint Joseph, MO 64506; dmoser@angus.org by March 31. For more information, contact AGI staff at 816-383-5100.

— Adapted from a summary by Shauna Hermel, Angus Media.

Facts About the Proposed Missouri Beef Checkoff

Satisfaction 100% guaranteed or your money back — The proposed new beef checkoff allows Missouri farmers to pool their resources for promoting the beef industry by contributing a checkoff fee of $1 per head. Farmers who do not want to participate can have their checkoff dollars fully refunded (Sections 275.352 and 275.360 of the Missouri State Statutes).
Controlled by Missouri cattle farmers for Missouri cattle farmers — This is not the national beef checkoff, rather this is a state beef checkoff controlled by Missouri cattle farmers.
Elected farmers on the council — Cattle farmers who have an interest in being more involved have the opportunity to be elected to the Missouri Beef Industry Council. This is not a government run program.
Why there should be increased efforts to promote beef — Economists at the University of Missouri estimate the U.S. beef cow herd could reach 32 million head by 2020, up almost 8% from 2015. They write, “...growing cattle and beef supplies will lead to lower cattle prices unless new beef demand emerges.” Furthermore, the meat industry is under attack.

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

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

R-CALF USA Urges Senate Ag Committee to Reject Voluntary COOL

In a letter sent to the members of the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee (Committee), R-CALF USA urged the rejection of any effort to create a voluntary country-of-origin labeling (COOL) law. The committee is scheduled to consider a bill introduced by Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) that would block state GMO labeling laws. Reports indicate that when the GMO bill moves to the Senate floor, North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp plans to offer an amendment to create a voluntary COOL law.

The group’s letter points out that Congress repealed the popular COOL law “pursuant to a directive by the World Trade Organization (WTO).” R-CALF USA has long been critical of Congress’ capitulation to the WTO, calling it an example of how the United States has ceded far too much of its sovereignty to the international tribunal.

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

— Adapted from a release by R-CALF USA.

2016 Women in Agribusiness Summit

Nearly 600 women in agribusiness are expected to gather at the Women in Agribusiness Summit, Sept. 27-29 at the Hyatt Regency. With a full third of the attendees at the executive level, and an overall audience last year representing 39 U.S. states and more than 200 ag companies, this fifth annual event is looking toward the future.

In Chicago for the first time, the 2016 Women in Agribusiness Summit (WIA) will continue the momentum of building an agribusiness community where women develop valuable professional skills, network with influential executives, and learn about industry outlooks and trends in an interactive and innovative forum.

“Each year we have taken our mission of developing leaders, increasing industry knowledge and inspiring action for professional women in the ag sector to a new level,” said event director Joy O’Shaughnessy. “We’ve outlined the proven advantages of giving women a stronger voice in agribusiness, we’ve brought men into the conversation, and this year, we’ll look to the future and examine what the role of women in agribusiness could be during the next five to 10 years.”

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

— Adapted from a release by Women in Agribusiness.

AFA Elects New Director and Board Officers

Agriculture Future of America (AFA) is pleased to welcome Kevin Eye, WinField, a Land O’Lakes, Inc. company, to its Board of Directors. The AFA Board represents recognized leaders from agri-businesses, land-grant universities, associations and production agriculture. Eye was elected during the AFA Board of Director’s first meeting of 2016. He takes the place of Mike Vande Logt, WinField.

“We are excited to welcome Kevin to our Board of Directors,” said Russ Weathers, AFA CEO and chairman of the Board. “He exemplifies the Board’s passion for developing young leaders. We look forward to AFA’s 20th year with the support of Kevin.”

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

— Adapted from a release by Megan Karlin, Agriculture Future of America.

— 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.