News Update

July 21, 2016

Arkansas Angus Junior
Receives Leadership Award

The National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) recognizes one of its young leaders each year by presenting the Jim Baldridge Outstanding Leadership Award at the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS). Awarded during the NJAS closing ceremonies July 8 in Grand Island, Neb., this year’s recipient is Will Pohlman of Prairie Grove, Ark.

“Leadership to me is knowing who you are, serving and keeping others in mind when you’re making decisions,” Pohlman says. “Whether that’s the juniors in the association or if that’s your community at home or on campus, it’s just knowing that in this position, this is who I need to keep in mind when making decisions.”

Entering his senior year at the University of Arkansas, Pohlman is studying pre-med and animal science. He also finished his show career at this year’s NJAS. As part of the award, Pohlman will be awarded a $2,500 scholarship.

Each year the outstanding NJAA member is recognized for contributions to Angus organizations, personal Angus accomplishments, and community involvement and achievements. In 2014, the award was titled the Jim Baldridge Outstanding Leadership Award, in memory of a lifetime of service to the Angus breed.

For more information, access the Angus news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Emily Velisek for Angus Media.

New Talon Internship Accepting Applications

A new internship opportunity through the Angus Foundation and the Angus/Talon Youth Education Learning Program will pair motivated youth with working registered-Angus ranches to give a valuable hands-on educational experience for eight weeks during the summer starting in 2017.

Motivated and knowledgeable young people will be the leaders of the next generation of agriculturalists. Applications for both Talon scholarship recipients and for host breeders are available now online. Both are due Sept. 15.

Cam Cooper of Talon Ranch, who was a staunch supporter of agriculture’s youth, set up the Angus/Talon Youth Educational Learning Program Endowment Fund. Through application, both an interested college or graduate student, or even a recent graduate younger than 25 and a working Angus ranch will be paired by the endowment fund’s Advisory Committee, with preference given to students who have received a Talon scholarship.

For more information, view the Angus announcement online.

— Adapted from a release by Kasey Brown, Angus Media.

Fescue Exacerbates Heat Stress

The summer slump in cool-season grass growth got a knockout punch from heavy rains in July across much of Missouri. Good growth for most grasses won’t be good for toxic tall fescue pastures, says Craig Roberts, University of Missouri Extension forage specialist.

“Keep your eyes open,” Roberts tells cow herd owners. “The rapid grass growth makes more toxin in fescue leaves.”

Toxic tall fescue adds heat stress in cattle. That comes at a time of high-temperature forecasts. “Stress becomes a double whammy. Toxin in the grass adds to ambient temperatures,” Roberts says. “Hot weather arrives when cattle can’t deal with it.”

Most years, grass pastures are heading into a low-growth phase by mid-July. Seasonal growth patterns and dry weather team up to slow growth — and grazing.

Read more of this article in the July issue of the Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, a free online publication emailed every month by the Angus Media team.

— Adapted from a release by Duane Dailey, University of Missouri.

Forage Supplementation and Methane in Beef Cows

The nutrient composition of grazed forages frequently does not meet the requirements of the grazing animals. For example, winter forages are often low in protein and digestible energy while winter/spring grazed wheat has an excess of protein.

In order to optimize the use of forages, producers frequently provide supplementary protein and/or energy. These generally improve forage utilization, increase carrying capacity and increase animal performance; however, the effects on greenhouse gas emissions are not known.

Great Plains Grazing team member and retired USDA-Agricultural Research Service (ARS) research animal scientist, Andy Cole, will present, “Forage Supplementation Strategies and Methane Production of Beef Cattle,” a free webinar at 1:30 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, July 26. The webinar is open to anyone interested in gaining a better understanding of how supplements can be used to lower the carbon footprint of grazing beef cattle.

Webinar participants can expect to learn the effects of protein supplementation on low-quality forage diets and the effects of energy supplementation on high-quality wheat forage.

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

— Adapted from a release by K-State Research and Extension.

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.