News Update
July 14, 2016
National Junior Angus Board
Elects New Members, Officers
Easily recognized in their green coats, National Junior Angus Board (NJAB) members serve as mentors, friends and the next generation of leaders for the Angus breed. During the 2016 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), hosted July 3-9 in Grand Island, Neb., six junior leaders were elected by their peers to serve on the NJAB.
“The opportunity to represent more than 6,000 members creates a feeling of pride and excitement that cannot be matched,” says Corbin Cowles, newly elected NJAB director from Rockfield, Ky. “Many great individuals have come before us and set the standard of excellence for the Angus breed, and I am honored to be able to continue the same tradition by using my talents and abilities to represent this organization.”
Joining Cowles on the 2016-2017 NJAB are Madison Butler, Vincennes, Ind.; Michaela Clowser, Milford, Neb.; Catie Hope, Berryville, Va.; Will Pohlman, Prairie Grove, Ark.; and Jordyn Wagner, Billings, Mont.
Continue reading in the Angus news release online.
NCBA Submits Comments to Organic Marketing Proposed Rule
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) submitted comments July 13 on the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program; Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices proposed rule. NCBA President Tracy Brunner said that voluntary agency marketing programs are not the place to codify animal production practices.
“Organic programs are marketing programs and therefore not the place to prescribe animal welfare practices,” said Brunner. “America’s cattle producers are the best stewards of their herds, and they take pride in the welfare of their animals. That is why, over the past 30 years, cattlemen and women have worked to develop and improve animal care and handling standards through the Beef Quality Assurance Program.
“Rather than set rigid political standards in statute, the Beef Quality Assurance program is driven by experts in animal care, using industry-accepted and peer-reviewed science to set the program guidelines. Instead of attempting to address continuously changing animal care and handling practices in this rule, we recommend the USDA suggest that organic producers become BQA certified.”
For more information, view the NCBA news release online.
Partnering for Student Career Success
Agriculture Future of America (AFA), a premier leader development organization for young leaders in agriculture, and www.AgCareers.com, the leading provider of global talent solutions in agriculture and food, are pleased to announce a career success partnership.
This partnership will utilize both organizations’ strengths to continue spurring collegiate students forward in their pursuit of careers in agriculture. AFA industry partners can post their internships free of charge through the AgCareers.com site. AFA will be actively encouraging students who participate in AFA programs to seek experiential opportunities through the AgCareers.com site.
For more information, view the AFA 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.
Texas A&M AgriLife Grass Grazing,
Animal Management School
The 10-month Hemphill County Grass Grazing and Animal Management School coordinated by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office in Hemphill County will kick off July 21 in Canadian, Texas.
The school will meet for four hours each session on the third Thursday of the month for 10 months, said Andy Holloway, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Hemphill County. Registration is $375 per producer. Those planning to attend can preregister through July 21 by calling the AgriLife Extension office at 806-323-9114. Payment should be sent to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service-Hemphill County, 10865 Exhibition Center Road, Canadian, TX 79014.
Course leaders include Tim Steffens, AgriLife Extension range specialist in Canyon, and Holloway.
Topics will be principles of grazing management and grass growth, grazing economics, matching animals and resources, water cycle and drought management, nutrition and grazing behavior, infrastructure design and grazing planning, and monitoring.
For more information, visit the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events.
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