News Update

September 20, 2016

New Tradition for the
NWSS Angus Bull Sale

For more than a century, the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) in Denver, Colo., has been a focal point of the U.S. cattle industry.

In celebration of that heritage, the American Angus Association will host a new evening event as part of the NWSS on Jan. 11, 2017, in the historic Stadium Arena. Activities will combine the Angus Foundation Heifer Package, the National Angus Bull Sale and live entertainment.

“Not only will Angus breeders and commercial cattlemen have a unique opportunity to purchase and merchandise breed-leading genetics, but we’re also enthused about the opportunity this event represents to bring together cattle producers from across the country in a new venue,” says David Gazda, Association regional manager and sale manager. “It’ll be a great event for Angus — one that people will really enjoy attending — in one of the industry’s great, historic settings.”

It begins with a show competition starting at 8 a.m., where a panel of judges will evaluate the entries.

The entry fee for the NWSS Angus Bull Sale is $500 per head and due by Oct. 1. All bulls consigned must be entered in the NWSS. To sign up, download an entry form and list of rules online.

— Adapted from a release by Jena McRell, Angus Media.

California Regulates Methane Emissions

California will now regulate greenhouse gas emissions from dairy cows and landfills due to legislation signed Monday by Gov. Jerry Brown in the state’s attempt to fight climate change.

According to an article by the Associated Press, the law targets gases known as short-lived climate pollutants that have a short life in the atmosphere, yet environmentalists hope that tackling these would buy time to develop new and more affordable technology to reduce carbon emissions.

The new law will require dairy farmers to reduce methane emissions from manure to 40% below their 2013 levels by 2030. California has allocated $50 million to assist producers to meet this goal by helping some buy digesters, which use methane from manure to generate energy that can be sold to electrical utilities.

The law will also allow the Air Resources Board to regulate cow flatulence if there is a viable technology to reduce it.

“[The law] represents a direct assault on California’s dairy industry and will hurt manufacturing by creating an arbitrary limit on natural gases, which dissipate quickly,” said Tom Scott, California director for the National Federation of Independent Business, a small-business advocacy group.

More information on the new law is available online.

— Adapted from an article from the Associated Press.

Fall Carcass Weights Trending Lower

Last fall, carcass weights were a major area of concern for much of the beef industry with weight discounts occurring quite regularly. According to CattleFax, this year, carcass weights are trending 10 to 15 pounds lower than in 2015.

In 2015, cattle averaged 165 days on feed compared to a five-year average of 152 days. Feeders were looking to maximize gain due to the low cost of feed, yet it contributed to the carcass weight issue.

“For the past four months, days on feed has been below the five-year average,” says Marcus Brix, CattleFax market analyst. “This indicates a return to a more manageable supply.”

For more from the cattle market outlook, watch Brix’s interview on The Angus Report. You can also catch the show at 1:30 p.m. CST Saturday and 7:30 a.m. CST each Monday morning on RFD-TV.

— Adapted from The Angus Report.

Recordkeeping In Your Pocket

For more than 30 years, cattle producers have used pocket-sized books in order to track calving and overall cattle records. Starting Oct. 3, 2016, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) will be offering these small books to producers in order to effectively and efficiently record their daily production.

The book has more than 100 pages to record calving activity, herd health, pasture use, cattle inventory, body condition, cattle treatment, artificial insemination (AI) breeding records and much more. It also includes producer guides to Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Best Practices, proper injection technique and more.

Books can be purchased for $7 each, plus shipping and handling. For more information, visit www.beefusa.org.

— Adapted from a release by NCBA.

2017 Black Books available

You can now order 2017 AngusSource/Beef Record Service (BRS) black books. The pocket-sized books include a calendar, as well as space to keep management records on your cow herd. They feature the American Angus Association logo on the back.

Producers can request two free books and purchase additional books for $3 each. The 2017 books are available in any quantity.

To place orders, contact the AngusSource Department at 816-383-5100 or email blackbooks@angus.org.

— Adapted from “Association Highlights,” October 2016 Angus Journal.

Beef Producers Seminar Brings Cutting Edge Technology

The 2016 Beef Producers Seminar is set for Nov. 5 at the United Producers sale facility in Missouri, providing producers an opportunity to work with new reproductive, health and genetic technologies. Aside from hands-on demonstrations, attendees can also browse through the new trade show, live-animal displays and meet with industry representatives.

Attendees can also look forward to University of Missouri (MU) Extension specialists discuss genetic sampling, how to manage and market replacement heifers, bulls and calves, and cutting-edge carcass and performance information.

In addition, Craig Payne, veterinarian and associate extension professor for MU Extension, will address the upcoming veterinary feed directive (VFD), which will impact medicated feed suppliers, veterinarians and livestock producers beginning in 2017.

Admission for the event is $25 and includes a steak dinner. For more information contact the Andrew County MU Extension Center at 816-324-3147 or humphreyjr@missouri.edu.

— Adapted from a release by Jim Humphrey, MU Extension.

— Compiled by JD Rosman, Angus Media.

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