News Update
June 22, 2016
Prepare for the NJAS with Flat Andy
The 2016 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) is right around the corner, and Flat Andy needs help from National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) members to find his way to the show, which takes place July 3-9 in Grand Island, Neb.
As NJAA members prepare for and make their way to the show, they are encouraged to document the process by taking photos along the way with Flat Andy’s help and posting them to the NJAA’s social media accounts.
Members who send in photos of Flat Andy will have an opportunity to win great prizes. Third place will receive an Angus gift pack, second place will receive a $50 Amazon gift card, and the first-place Flat Andy photo entry will receive an iPod Nano valued at $150.
To learn how to submit your photos for the contest, view the Angus news release online.
Citizens Urged to Report Drought Conditions
University of Missouri (MU) Extension climatologist Pat Guinan urges Missourians to report the impact of drought in their areas to the Drought Impact Reporter (DIR) at www.droughtreporter.unl.edu.
The need to report conditions has grown in recent weeks due to continued high temperatures and lack of precipitation, Guinan says.
The National Drought Mitigation Center, www.drought.unl.edu, works to inform the public about drought planning, mitigation and response, he says. It also helps decision-makers identify and reduce vulnerability to drought.
Input from citizens statewide helps decision-makers gain a more complete and accurate portrayal of the location and severity of drought in each state and region. “Nobody knows a drought better than the person living in it,” Guinan says.
For more information, view the MU news release online.
Culver’s Introduces #FarmingFridays
To give Culver’s social media followers a peek into a day in the life of farming community members, the restaurant chain has asked agricultural influencers to share photos and videos during a seven-week social content series called #FarmingFridays.
The people invited to share information about their farming experiences on Culver’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts will do so every Friday from June 24 to August 5.
Here is the #FarmingFridays schedule:
- June 24: Peterson Farm Brothers — Kansas farmers and YouTube sensations.
- July 1: The Farmer’s Daughter USA — Amanda is a practicing attorney by day and farmer’s daughter by night who helps her followers learn more about where their food comes from.
- July 8: National FFA Officer Team — Leaders of the national youth organization that focuses on agricultural education.
For more information, view the Culver’s news release online.
.Backyard BBQ Trends
“Low and slow” is a backyard buzz phrase this summer, as more and more people are migrating to smoking rather than grilling. This shift, along with a move toward ceramic barbecues instead of traditional models, is among the summer trends identified by Belmont Meats, a North American foodservice industry leader based in Toronto.
“Low and slow — low temperatures and longer cooking times — is really gaining in popularity,” says Chef Curtis Dool, Belmont’s culinary expert. “Cooking in the backyard is one of the great joys of summer, and we’re seeing a growing willingness to spend more time getting it just right.”
Barbecues have become very sophisticated, with fuels ranging from natural gas to propane to manufactured charcoal briquettes to natural all wood charcoal to various types of split wood pieces chunks and chips. Consumers have also evolved, now using their barbecues to make a much wider range of products, from traditional burgers and steaks to whole pork shoulders and even pizza, vegetables and desserts.
To read more, view the full news release online.
Range, Brush Program Set for July 7
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will conduct a range and brush management program beginning at 4 p.m. July 7 at the Brown County Fairgrounds, 4206 U.S. Highway 377 South in Brownwood.
Scott Anderson, AgriLife Extension agent in Brown County, said the needed rains this spring have brought a plethora of weeds to Texas pastures.
“We have had a really wet spring, so most pastures are covered in weeds, many of which are toxic to livestock,” Anderson said. “Unwanted brush species continue to encroach and take over good grazing land. Some of the leading experts in the state will be making presentations to address these and other problems. So if you have questions concerning weeds, brush control, cattle insect pest management or aquatic weed control in your farm pond don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the pros.”
For more information, view the Texas AgriLife news release online.
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.