News Update
September 22, 2016
Farm Bureau Asks President and Congress to Sign TPP Trade Agreement
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), the Coalition of Services Industries, the Information Technology Industry Council and the National Association of Manufacturers called upon the president and congressional leadership to approve the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement by year-end.
The groups sent a letter to President Obama, Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid urging them to approve the TPP agreement, which would open access to nearly half a billion consumers and would increase competitiveness for America’s agriculture, manufacturing, service and technology sectors.
“As the most productive industries in the world, our enterprises need access to new consumers and markets to sustain, let alone grow, production and good-paying jobs,” the groups wrote. “Yet, U.S. industries face increasing competition as our global competitors are benefitting from trade deals that exclude and disadvantage the United States. … The status quo is not acceptable for industries that need new markets to sustain and grow our workforces in the United States.”
For more information contact Will Rodger at willr@fb.org or Kari Barbic at karib@fb.org.
USDA Designates 11 Parishes in Louisiana’s Primary Natural Disaster Areas
Due to the Louisiana flooding that occurred last month, the USDA has deemed 11 parishes in Louisiana as primary natural disaster areas. The parishes include: Acadia, Ascension, Cameron, Evangeline, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Saint James, Saint Landry, Saint Martin and Vermilion.
Farmers and ranchers in the following parishes in Louisiana also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous. Those parishes are: Allen, Assumption, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Lafourche, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, Rapides, Saint John the Baptist and Saint Mary.
“Our hearts go out to those Louisiana farmers and ranchers affected by recent natural disasters,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “President Obama and I are committed to ensuring agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation’s economy by sustaining the successes of America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities through these difficult times. We’re also telling Louisiana producers that USDA stands with you and your communities when severe weather and natural disasters threaten to disrupt your livelihood.”
For more information visit www.fsa.usda.gov.
Angus University Headlines Convention Nov. 6
Continuing education and collaboration are two missions behind the American Angus Association’s annual Angus Convention. Hosted this year in Indianapolis, Ind., thousands of cattle producers will gather Nov. 5-7 for three days of knowledge-building workshops, business meetings and networking. Among the convention’s most popular sessions is Angus University, sponsored by Merck Animal Health.
Angus University headlines activities on Sunday, Nov. 6, and encourages cattle producers to expand their perspectives and consider what it takes to supply high-quality beef worldwide. It’s a daylong discussion on the beef cattle industry’s future, and how producers can creatively adapt to what that future holds.
“Angus University has been a centerpiece of the American Angus Association’s annual convention for three years, and it is a day of learning and exploration for all areas of the beef business,” says Becky Weishaar, Angus Media’s Creative Media director and lead contact for the convention. “We appreciate Merck’s continued support of Angus University, and look forward to participants engaging in another insightful event.”
Registration for the 2016 Angus Convention is available online. Register before Oct. 15 for full access to convention activities, education, entertainment and meals for only $125 per person. For more information, visit www.angusconvention.com.
Planning Ahead for Fall and Winter Forage
Mid- and late August is a good time for producers to plan ahead for winter forages, said Vanessa Corriher-Olson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension forage specialist in Overton.
Since most fall, winter and spring forages perform best when planted in late September through early October, producers should now be choosing forages, pricing, purchasing or reserving seed in preparation of when and where to plant.
“Waiting until the last minute can be problematic,” she said. “If you wait, you might not be able to find seed, or in the numbers you need, and then may be forced to plant late, which impacts production.”
Producers have many options for fall and winter forages, but Corriher-Olson said the location of the pasture and matching species to specific soil types, average rainfall and temperatures are paramount. The timing for forage availability is also an important consideration for producers.
For more information visit www.angus.media.
The Dream Team
The calf hits the ground, jumps up and starts nursing, but if producers don’t care about nutrition prior to birth, the calf is already behind the eight ball.
“The newest research says fetal programming, the nutrition of the dam while the calf is in utero, starts the clock,” says retired veterinarian and Elanco Animal Health consultant Mark Hilton. “Get with a nutritionist, get with your veterinarian, and have a nutrition plan and a health plan.”
Hilton says it’s important to have an arsenal of resources at producers’ disposal in order to maximize production possibilities with each generation of calves. Without proper nutrition, the calf will struggle in areas of carcass quality, overall health and rate of gain throughout its entire life.
For more information, watch Hilton’s interview on The Angus Report.
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