News Update

July 15, 2016

Celebrating 50 Years of Showmanship

Competing in the National Junior Angus Association’s (NJAA) showmanship contest at junior nationals is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent one’s state and join a prestigious group of national showmen. This year marked the 50th anniversary of the showmanship contest, and Courtney Younge of Iowa claimed top showman.

“Showmanship means so much to me,” Younge says. “I’ve been doing it ever since I was a little girl, and at my first nationals in Iowa, I sat and watched the showmanship contests and I was like, ‘I want to be in there one day.’ I didn’t care if I was in the top 15 or top five, but I knew I wanted to be wearing those black jeans and the white shirt.”

During the 2016 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) in Grand Island, Neb., 51 junior members competed for the title of champion showman. The preliminary round consisted of four heats on Thursday, July 7, where the top 15 showmen were selected. The finalists competed Saturday, July 9, to be considered among the top five.

For more information, view the Angus news release online.

— Adapted from a release by JD Rosman, Angus Media.

Six Ranches Honored for Stewardship Efforts

The tradition of cattlemen and women serving as stewards of America’s natural resources was honored July 14 with the announcement of the six regional Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) winners. The recipients, who were honored during the 2016 Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting, span the country and were nominated for their outstanding efforts to protect land, air and water resources on their individual farming and ranching operations. The regional winners will now compete for the national ESAP award, which will be announced in February 2017.

The awards, now in their 26th year, were developed to recognize beef producers for their implementation of practices that improve the environmental sustainability of their operations.

The 2016 regional winners are: Huntingdon Farm, John and Kathryn Dawes, Alexandria, Pa.; Stoney Creek Farm, Grant, Dawn and Karlie Breikreutz, Redwood Falls, Minn.; Turkey Track Ranch, Dale Smith and Jay O’Brien, Amarillo, Texas; Cherry Creek Ranch, Lon and Vicki Reukauf, Terry, Mont.; Smith Creek Ranch LTD, Samuel Lossing, Duane Coombs, Ray Hendrix, Austin, Nev.; Black Leg Ranch, Jerry and Renae Doan; Jeremy and Ashlee Doan; Jay and Kari Doan; Jayce Doan; Shanda and Don Morgan, McKenzie, N.D.

For more information, view the NCBA news release online.

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

AFBF President Zippy Duvall:
Passage of GMO Disclosure Legislation

“Today’s House passage of GMO disclosure legislation means we now begin the work of putting in place a uniform, national labeling system that will provide balanced, accurate information to consumers.

Genetically engineered crops have a decades-long track record of safety and benefits for agricultural productivity and our environment. This legislation helps to continue those benefits by avoiding the confusion of differing and potentially misleading labeling standards from state to state. The next stop is the President’s desk. We are pleased that Congress has moved quickly to finish the job.”

— Adapted from a release by the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Feeding Quality Forums set for August

Feeding cattle is dynamic. It is always evolving, always adapting to weather, markets, technology, scientific studies and shifts in consumer demand.

That’s why those who drive the supply train for grain-finished beef gather each summer for a day to compare notes and update their knowledge base. The Feeding Quality Forum (FQF) will convene August 23 in Grand Island, Neb., and August 25 in Amarillo, Texas.

Since the first forums in 2006, dual locations hosted two days apart provide easy travel distance for most of the Plains and Midwestern cattle feeding belt.

“Topics for the Forum target issues cattlemen are currently dealing with,” says Jill Dunkel, editor for co-sponsor Feedlot magazine and head coordinator for the event. “In addition to hearing from industry experts, the meeting offers a great opportunity to visit with other cattle feeders and learn how they are addressing these issues in their own businesses.”

Past attendees agree: “This is my favorite and most informational event I attend all year,” said one, while another commented, “It was very much worth the time investment to be here. Excellent speakers and networking opportunity.”

For more information, visit the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events.

— Adapted from a release by Steve Suther, Certified Angus Beef LLC.

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.

— Announcement from the American Angus Association.

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