News Update
July 18, 2016
‘The Angus Report’ at the NJAS
Last week, Grand Island, Neb., hosted one of the largest turnouts for the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) on record. Angus juniors from around the nation gathered to exhibit their Angus bulls, heifers and steers, as well as participate in character-building contests.
Alex Rogen, National Junior Angus Board chairman, said of the event: “We’re cultivating the next generation of Angus breeders here in Grand Island. I think when you look around, it really is a testamant to the dedication that these families have to raise their kids in a farming and ranching background, educating them in agriculture and preparing them for the rest of their lives.”
Within the special coverage from The Angus Report, we catch up with teams competing in the All-American Certified Angus Beef® brand Cook-Off, team sales and quiz bowl; catch up with first-time NJAS exhibitors, and share highlights from the showring.
Watch the segments online or catch the program at 1:30 p.m. CST Saturday on RFD-TV.
Cattle Industry Meeting Wraps Up with Policy Priorities
More than 700 cattlemen and women attended the Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting in Denver, Colo., last week to discuss the policy priorities for the cattle industry.
“It was a great week in Denver for the cattle industry,” said Tracy Brunner, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) president. “This week showcased how the industry comes together to tackle critical issues like market volatility, expanding international markets and the increasing federal regulations we see out of Washington, D.C.”
International trade remains a top priority for the cattle industry, including the necessary passage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
“Trade is a critical component of the cattle industry’s profitability, and expanding exports through current and future trade agreements, like TPP, hold tremendous potential for our producers,” said Brunner. “TPP will immediately reduce tariffs and level the playing field for U.S. beef exports to these growing markets. TPP is a major win not only for the beef industry, but for all U.S. export products, growing the economy while supporting jobs and investments in agriculture and technology.”
To read more, view the NCBA news release online.
TSCRA Submits Comments on USDA Organic Marketing
The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) has submitted comments on the USDA- Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program; Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices rule proposal.
“TSCRA opposes the USDA’s recommended changes to the National Organic Program,” said Richard Thorpe, TSCRA president and rancher from Winters, Texas. “The National Organic Program is used strictly as a marketing program, however USDA-AMS is going far outside of its purview by including animal welfare practices in these proposed changes.
“Whether producing organic or conventionally raised beef, American ranchers continue to be the best caretakers of their cattle. This commitment has led to a successful Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program that provides guidelines and recommendations from animal care experts who utilize peer-reviewed science. The USDA should be encouraging organic producers to become BQA certified instead of attempting to address animal welfare concerns of activists groups in an onerous federal rule.”
Mid-South Ruminant Nutrition Conference
The Mid-South Ruminant Nutrition Conference will be hosted Aug. 17-18 at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 2401 Bass Pro Drive in Grapevine, Texas. The program is presented by the Texas Animal Nutrition Council and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in cooperation with various cattle and dairy industry groups, associations and businesses.
“These conferences provide an opportunity to learn about the most recent developments in ruminant nutrition from some of the nation’s foremost experts,” said Ellen Jordan, AgriLife Extension dairy specialist based in Dallas and one of the conference planners.
Jordan said this conference consistently draws more than a hundred people from the dairy industry and associated businesses and organizations across the U.S. Conference programming has been approved for seven continuing education units from the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists. The Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiner has approved the conference for 6.5 continuing education units.
For more information, visit the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events.
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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