News Update
July 12, 2016
Why Thinking Globally Matters
Most folks in agriculture prefer American-made products, though most of us wear, own or perhaps drive some imports. We cringe when a Greek monetary crisis rocks our stock market, when we read about Middle East oil ministers setting global oil production, or, closer to home, how a bumper crop in South America will affect our grain markets.
U.S. beef is not as dependent on the outside world as other meats like pork or poultry, but exports still command beef industry attention. CattleFax estimates those sales add $240 to each fed steer sold, and multiplied by 24 or 25 million fed cattle each year, that’s nearly $6 billion coming into the U.S. from outside our borders.
That does not include the tens of thousands of Angus cattle exported to Russia to rebuild their infrastructure in the past five years or the volumes of semen from U.S. bulls sold worldwide. Obviously, the global market is worth keeping an eye on.
Continue reading in the Angus article online.
AFBF President Zippy Duvall on
Senate GMO Labeling Legislation
“The Senate has voted to move us one step closer to a uniform, national plan that will provide consumers easy access to information about genetically modified food. This bill is not perfect, but it would avoid the chaos of 50 different state laws and a confusing array of labels for ingredients scientifically proven safe. Now that the Senate has done its job, we ask the House to move swiftly, so this needed legislation can be delivered to the President for his signature.”
Western Stock Show Association Board of Directors
The board of the Western Stock Show Association (WSSA) has announced the addition of Brooke Fox to the association’s board of directors.
Fox is a third generation Coloradoan and currently works as the president and CEO of the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF). The CALF is a nonprofit, which provides educational opportunities for youth and adults alike to connect with agriculture through educational programs, community projects and special events with leading agriculture organizations.
Prior to this, Fox served as a natural resource consultant and negotiator on open space, endangered species, land management and other issues for the Chatfield Basin Conservation Network, local governments and land management entities. She was the first director of Douglas County’s Division of Open Space and Natural Resources.
For more information, view the WSSA news release online.
Vilsack Proclaims August 7-13
'National Farmers’ Market Week”
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack signed a proclamation declaring Aug. 7-13, 2016, as “National Farmers’ Market Week.” This year marks the 17th annual National Farmers’ Market Week to honor and celebrate the important role that farmers’ markets play in local economies.
“Farmers’ markets are an important part of strong local and regional food systems that connect farmers with new customers and grow rural economies. In many areas, they are also expanding access to fresh, healthy food for people of all income levels,” said Vilsack. “National Farmers’ Market Week recognizes the growth of these markets and their role in supporting both urban and rural communities.”
Throughout the week, USDA officials will celebrate at farmers’ market locations across the country. On Saturday, Aug. 6, Elanor Starmer, the administrator of USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) — which conducts research, provides technical assistance, and awards grants to support local and regional food systems — will kick off the week visiting a farmers’ market and wrap up the week at USDA’s own farmers’ market in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Aug. 12.
For more information, access the USDA news release online.
Seeking Member Input
The American Angus Association seeks member input in order to establish the long-range plan and strategic vision of the nation’s largest beef breed organization. Members were emailed questionnaires, which are also available within AAA Login (www.angusonline.org).
Survey responses submitted online will be accepted through July 31, and respondents may enter to win a cash drawing. The Association’s long-range initiative encompasses insight from all areas of the beef cattle business, and member input is vital and appreciated.
Contact the Association at angus@angus.org if you have questions regarding the survey.
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