News Update

April 21, 2016

Final Call for
Angus Scholarship Applications

The deadline is quickly approaching to apply for scholarships through the Angus Foundation and American Angus Auxiliary. Applications must be postmarked by May 1 and May 2, respectively. Angus youth should act now to ensure their materials arrive in a timely manner.

The Angus Foundation offers general scholarships to students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in higher education. Eligible Angus youth meeting the qualifications for the Angus Foundation’s 2016 Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarship Programs will be considered by the Angus Foundation’s Scholarship Selection Committee. As in past years, other specific and special criteria scholarships administered by the Angus Foundation will also be available. Scholarship recipients will be recognized at the 2016 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) in Grand Island, Neb.

To read more about Angus scholarship opportunities, view the Angus news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Jena McRell, Angus Media.

Senate Turns its Back on Western Communities

As part of the Energy Security and Research Bill (S.2012) passed April 20 by the U.S Senate, the Senate inappropriately included a provision permanently reauthorizing the $900 million Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) with a requirement that not less than 40% of LWCF money be spent on federal acquisitions. In the process, the Senators voted down even common-sense reform amendments like that of Sen. Lankford (R-Okla.) which would have required a maintenance component to any new federal acquisition.

“It’s disappointing to see Senators from Western states turn their backs on their constituents that are so heavily impacted by the large federal footprint in the West,” said Brenda Richards, Public Lands Council president. “The Land and Water Conservation Fund has never been fully funded because it is so controversial; to permanently authorize LWCF eliminates any opportunity to ever have a conversation about reform that is so badly needed.”

To continue reading, please view the NCBA news release online.

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

Grandin Elected to the
American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Temple Grandin’s worldwide reputation as a leader in the field of humane animal handling and autism advocacy has propelled her into one of the nation’s most distinguished groups — the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The Colorado State University professor of animal sciences was elected to American Academy among 213 new members announced April 20 in Cambridge, Mass.

Grandin is an internationally recognized leader in animal handling innovations, and her expertise has been utilized by major corporations such as Wendy’s International, Burger King, Whole Foods, Chipotle, McDonald’s Corp. as well as the USDA, where she has trained auditors in animal care at livestock processing plants.

Her approach to animal welfare is informed by Grandin’s own experiences with autism and through her perspective as a “visual thinker.” She is a tireless advocate for autism awareness, a role model for individuals across the autism spectrum, and an inspiration for families who have loved ones diagnosed with autism.

For more information, please view the news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Colorado State University.

FDA Extends Comment Period on Raw Manure Fertilizer Risks

In response to multiple requests from stakeholders, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is extending the comment period for public input to assist FDA in its plan to develop a risk assessment evaluating the risk of human illness associated with the consumption of produce grown in fields on which raw manure (or other untreated biological soil amendments of animal origin) is used as fertilizer. The agency is extending the comment period by 60 days, to July 5, 2016.

The risk assessment will be designed to evaluate the risk that the use of raw manure as fertilizer on produce crops may pose for consumer health. It also will look at the effect various agricultural practices, environmental conditions and prevention measures may have on the risk of human illness.

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

— Adapted from a release by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Killer Disease: May 11 Meeting on Anaplasmosis

An unwanted visitor has arrived in parts of Kansas, and the results have been cattle death loss in some cases. Anaplasmosis is a crippling, blood-borne disease carried by ticks and flies that can kill mature cattle if left untreated.

A May 11 meeting is planned in Salina to bring cattle producers, veterinarians, extension agents and others together to inform, educate and work toward a coordinated response to the disease, which surged into Kansas in 2015. The meeting starts at 11:30 a.m. at Kansas State University (K-State) Polytechnic Campus’s College Conference Center, at 2310 Centennial Road.

“In 2015, almost every county in the eastern two-thirds and several far-west counties of Kansas had samples that were tested and found to be anaplasmosis positive,” said Gregg Hanzlicek, director of production animal field investigations for the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab.

For more information, please view the K-State news release.

— Adapted from a release by K-State Research and Extension.

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

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