News Update
June 30, 2016
Angus to Update Selection
Indexes July 1
Angus breeders and their customers will see some slight changes in dollar value indexes ($Values) beginning July 1 as Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) updates the economic assumptions used to calculate the selection tools included in the American Angus Association weekly genetic evaluation.
“Every July, we update the economic assumptions that go into Angus $Values, like $B and $W,” says Dan Moser, AGI president who oversees the Association’s performance programs. “This allows for the most up-to-date market prices and costs to predict profit differences among animals.”
These economic assumptions are assigned to expected progeny difference (EPD) components included in the $Values, which are expressed in dollars per head and allow for multi-directional change. While the update is a regular occurrence for the breed, Moser reminds members that any declines in $Value numbers are largely a reflection of market conditions.
Read more in the Angus news release online.
Chris Stephens Joins Angus Foundation
Wesson, Miss., native Chris Stephens will join the Angus Foundation as its new assistant director of development on July 1. In his new position, Stephens will assist the Angus Foundation in fundraising to help achieve the organization’s mission of advancing education, youth and research for the Angus breed and American Angus Association members.
Stephens received his bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications from Oklahoma State University in 2002, and possesses a strong, professional skill set in leadership and fundraising in the beef cattle industry. Most recently, Stephens served as director of operations for EE Ranches Inc., in Dallas, Texas. In his position, Stephens managed a major ranching enterprise consisting of five ranches in four states.
For more information, view the Angus news release online.
New Regulations to Integrate sUAS into Agriculture
There is good news for those in agriculture eager to take advantage of new technology in the form of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), also known popularly as drones.
On June 21, the Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released its final regulations governing commercial sUAS, said Ray Asebedo, Kansas State University (K-State) agronomy assistant professor of precision agriculture.
Changes in these new regulations will help integrate sUAS into the national airspace, while lessening the previous stringent qualifications for sUAS operations, Asebedo said. This will lead to more people being able to operate sUAS and help increase technological advancements in agriculture.
For more information, view the K-State news release online.
Court Asked to Block Federal Overreach
on Sage Grouse Preservation
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and Utah Farm Bureau Federation have asked a federal district court in Utah to overturn a host of illegal land-use restrictions hampering ranchers in the western states.
The groups made the request as part of a motion to intervene on the side of the State of Utah in a lawsuit against the federal government. The litigation challenges federal land management plans imposing restrictions on ranching and other human activities in Utah as part of a larger effort to manage federal lands for species protection rather than for “multiple uses” as required by law.
In papers filed Tuesday, June 28, the Farm Bureau organizations asked the U.S. Court for the District of Utah to find that the federal government broke the law when it drew up rules designed to protect the habitat of the Greater Sage Grouse.
For more information, access the Farm Bureau news release online.
Nixon Vetoes Bills Advancing Missouri Agriculture
Governor Jay Nixon vetoed legislation June 28 that the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association (MCA) said would advance Missouri agriculture, the state’s No. 1 industry. The association is referring to SB 641, sponsored by Sen. Dave Schatz (R-26), and SB 844, sponsored by Sen. Mike Parson (R-28).
“This governor has once again turned his back on the farm and ranch families we represent. Despite overwhelming bipartisan support of these two bills, the governor threw them in the trash,” said MCA policy and legislative affairs committee chairman Jimmie Long. “The governor never offered a compromise while these bills were being considered by the General Assembly. He chose no communication other than his actions today.”
The legislation sponsored by Sen. Schatz would end the process of taxing agricultural disaster assistance as income. MCA President Keith Stevens said no other disaster assistance is taxable as income. Sen. Parson’s SB 844 would change how Missouri law addresses instances where livestock escape their confines.
For more information, read the MCA news release online.
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