News Update

August 18, 2016

Register Now for the
Nebraska Angus Tour

Registration is now open for the 2016 Nebraska Angus Tour, which is scheduled for Sept. 23-24. This year’s two-day tour will feature scenic north central Nebraska with visits to several Angus ranches and local agricultural companies.

Registration for this year’s event is $150 per person, or $175 per couple on or before Sept. 1. Registration fees increase after that date. The fees include two nights lodging at the Historic Bassett Lodge, all meals during the two-day tour and a seat on the charter bus (first come, first serve).

The tour, entitled “Explore Nebraska … Angus Country,” will showcase a large number of Angus enterprises that reside in the Nebraska Sandhills and Niobrara River Valley.

For more information, view the Angus news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Suzy Hebbert, Nebraska Angus Association.

$17.8 Million to Cultivate Next
Generation of Farmers, Ranchers

In a meeting with new and beginning farmers at Iowa State University Aug. 17, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a new investment of $17.8 million for 37 projects to help educate, mentor and enhance the sustainability of the next generation of farmers.

The investment is made through the USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP). Since 2009, USDA has invested more than $126 million into projects targeting new and beginning farmers and ranchers through BFRDP.

Vilsack also announced a series of fall forums that USDA will host in the coming months to highlight the progress made on the top issues facing the future of agriculture and set the stage for the next Administration to continue to support a strong future for American agriculture.

For more information, view the USDA release online.

— Adapted from a release by the USDA.

Thunder Creek Donation Benefits Farmer Veteran Coalition

Pella, Iowa-based Thunder Creek Equipment has donated a one-of-a-kind FST 990 Trailer “Patriot One” to Farmer Veteran Coalition.

The trailer will be on display at Farm Progress (Booth 129) and other farm shows throughout September. Farmer Veteran Coalition will be auctioning off the trailer via blind bid — at these shows and online (ThunderCreek.com/PatriotOne) — between now and Sept. 26.

All proceeds from the sale of the trailer will go to support Farmer Veteran Coalition’s mission of providing direct assistance and scholarships to veteran members in the early stages of their agricultural career.

— Adapted from a release by Bill Elverman, Thunder Creek Equipment.

Select Sires Beef Development Advisor

Select Sires has hired Willie Altenburg as beef development advisor. His role will include assisting member cooperative employees with developing independent beef representatives and enhancing beef sales. Additionally, Altenburg will acquire sires for the beef program.

“I am excited to join the Select Sires beef program,” said Altenburg. “My past years of experience in the beef AI (artificial insemination) industry have shown that strong people and sires are required to build a strong program, and I hope I can add to what Select Sires has already built. I am glad I have been asked to join the Select Sires team and am anxious to get started.”

Altenburg received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville before starting his nearly 45-year career in the beef AI industry. Besides his experience with marketing and developing beef genetics, he has served as president of the Beef Improvement Federation and as a member of the board of directors for the American Simmental Association and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

For more information, view the Select Sires news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Danielle Brown, Select Sires Inc.

Marketing Manager for Animal Health and Nutrition

To best understand the market and communicate to current and potential customers, H.J. Baker is pleased to announce that Charles Whitt has joined the animal health and nutrition division as marketing manager.

By bringing Whitt onto the animal health and nutrition team, H.J. Baker is looking for ways to continue to bring its growing product portfolio to the attention of the right people. With over twenty years of experience in marketing and communications, Whitt will lead the efforts to develop integrated marketing campaigns, manage trade shows and oversee design, production and distribution of all marketing assets.

Whitt, a graduate of the University of Missouri, also holds an MBA from the William E. Simon Graduate School of Business.

For more information, view the H.J. Baker news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Alissa Smith, H.J. Baker.

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

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