News Update

March 29, 2016

Apply to Become the Angus Ambassador

The National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) is beginning its search for the next Angus Ambassador. It’s an elite position that provides an opportunity for a one-year term as spokesperson for the NJAA’s nearly 6,000 members and connects with cattle producers, consumers and industry professionals nationwide. Applications are available online and must be submitted by June 15.

“As the Angus Ambassador, one junior member is given the opportunity to take his or her passion for Angus cattle to the next level by networking with other Angus producers and beef industry professionals and by traveling to and attending a variety of engaging events over the course of the year,” says Jaclyn Clark, American Angus Association director of events and education.

Currently serving as the 2015-2016 Angus Ambassador is Will Pohlman of Prairie Grove, Ark. Pohlman is a junior at the University of Arkansas studying biochemistry and animal science. He will apply to medical school in the fall.

“It’s a really beneficial way to make new connections, travel to new places and push the limits of what a junior in the Angus Association can do,” Pohlman says.

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

— Adapted from a release by Shelby Mettlen, Angus Media.

BIF Announces June Program

Preparations are being finalized for the 2016 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Annual Meeting and Research Symposium themed “Progress on the Prairie.” The annual event will be hosted June 14-17 in Manhattan, Kan., and headquartered at the new Hilton Garden Inn and Conference Center.

The BIF conference routinely draws a large group of leading seedstock and commercial beef producers, academics and allied industry partners. The attendance list is a “who’s who” of the beef value chain, offering great networking opportunities and conversations about the issues of the day. Program topics focus on how the beef industry can enhance value through genetic improvement across a range of attributes that affect the value chain.

The event features two and a half days of educational programming and a full day of tours visiting regional seedstock and commercial producers.

— Adapted from a release by the Beef Improvement Federation.

Alliance Summit Attendees to Hear from Consumers

Understanding your customer is key to succeeding in any business, but connecting directly with food purchasers can be a challenge for farmers and agricultural organizations.

The exciting speaker lineup at the 2016 Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit will be kicked off with a live consumer focus group titled, “What Do Consumers Really Want?” During the session, the audience will hear opinions on food purchasing decisions, labels, animal welfare and more hot topics straight from consumers themselves.

This year’s Summit, themed “Securing Animal Agriculture’s Future: Action, Please!” is set for May 5-6 in Arlington, Va. The 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 that they can immediately implement on their farms or in their businesses.

For more information, please view the Animal Ag Alliance’s news release online.

— Adapted from a release by the Animal Agriculture Alliance.

Genetic Advancements and Consumer Trust

Are the emerging genetic advancements being made today outpacing the moral, ethical, legal and regulatory conversations?

Speakers and panelists will discuss these issues and the need to earn consumer trust in the benefits these advancements offer at the Center for Food Integrity (CFI) 2016 North American Strategy Conference on Animal Agriculture, May 18-19 at McDonald’s Hamburger University in Chicago.

The most recent consumer trust research from CFI shows consumers have growing concern over the treatment of animals raised for food. A near-record 60% strongly agree with the following statement: “If animals are treated decently and humanely I have no problem eating meat, milk and eggs.” Yet, a much smaller percentage of consumers, 25% strongly agree that U.S. meat comes from humanely treated animals.

Recognizing this gap between consumer support and perception, speakers and panelists at CFI’s Strategy Conference will be asked “How Do We Close the Animal Ag Gap?” on issues like emerging genetic advancements, antibiotic use and animal housing.

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

— Adapted from a release by Mark Crouser, Center for Food Integrity.

Chihuahuan Desert Riparian and Pond Management Workshop

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and collaborators will conduct the first Chihuahuan Desert Riparian and Pond Management Workshop on April 13.

“This workshop will be fast-paced and held in the field on rough terrain and walking to various sites will be required,” said Jesse Lea Schneider, AgriLife Extension agent in Presidio County and a workshop coordinator. “Our Chihuahuan Desert Riparian areas are some of the most misunderstood and underappreciated of the ecosystems. Our hope is to make this an annual event to bring educational opportunities to landowners and enthusiasts across the area.”

Individual registration is $10. RSVP by April 11 by calling 432-295-0342.

For more information, access the complete news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Steve Byrns, Texas AgriLife Communications.

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

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