News Update

September 30, 2016

USDA Commits $56 Million for Community Food Projects

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the USDA has allocated more than $56 million in grants in order to strengthen local and regional food systems, support farmers’ markets and fund organic research.

“Since this Administration launched the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative in 2009 to coordinate USDA efforts to support local and regional food systems, there has been a dramatic increase in consumer demand for buying local,” says Vilsack. “Over the years, we’ve seen how these new market opportunities are helping to drive job growth in agriculture, increase entrepreneurship in rural communities, and expand food access and choice.”

Since 2009, the USDA has invested more than $1 billion in more than 40,000 local food businesses and infrastructure projects. In addition, Vilsack announced $48.1 million in available fiscal year 2017 funding through the Specialty Crop Research Initiative to support systems-based research and extension activities to accelerate science-based solutions and new technology for the specialty crop industry.

For more information, visit www.govdelivery.com.

— Adapted from an article by USDA.

K-State Ranching Summit, Oct. 7

Kansas State University is hosting the first Ranching Summit event designed to equip managers with skills to address the challenges of ranching in the business world of the future.

Hosted by the Kansas State University (K-State) Animal Science and Industry Department and K-State Research and Extension, beef producers can look forward to learning how to define the unit of profit for cow-calf operations, new grazing opportunities, an update on projected farm economics and how to build community support in 2050.

“Each year, weather, markets and other external factors present challenges to beef producers,” says Sandy Johnson, K-State extension beef specialist. “This year is no exception in that regard.”

Preregistration deadline is Friday, Sept. 30. Visit www.KSUBeef.org for more information.

— Adapted from a release by K-State Department of Animal Science and Industry.

Policy Updates

What might the outcome of this year’s presidential election portend for the beef industry? Like a lot of cattle folk, most attendees at the Cattle Industry Summer Conference July 13-16 in Denver, Colo., could only guess at the answer. The conference serves as a forum for updating National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) members regarding issues of concern and laying groundwork for association policy. However, there was scant discussion of how either presidential candidate’s views might align with NCBA policy.

“As an organization, we are completely neutral,” says Kansas cattle feeder and NCBA President Tracy Brunner, noting that rhetoric from Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton has catered to the broader audience and that neither has talked much about issues of particular concern to beef producers. Worrisome, allowed Brunner, are comments that both candidates have made regarding international trade agreements. Both have stated opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a trade deal that NCBA favors.

“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,” says Brunner.

Merck Announces Scholarship Recipients

Merck Animal Health, in partnership with the Food Systems Fellowship Program coordinated by Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, has announced three scholarship recipients, Caelah Doerr of Owosso, Mich.; Sarah Gramer of Linden, Mich.; and Lauren Lauwer of Yale, Mich.

“Food animal veterinarians are integral to our ability to continue meeting food supply demands in the coming years as the global population grows,” says Rick Sibbel, veterinarian and executive director of food animal technical services for Merck Animal Health. “Merck Animal Health recognizes the importance of equipping veterinary students with hands-on educational experiences that will prepare them for this challenge. The support we offer these students now will not only benefit them, but will also impact the people and animals they serve in the future.”

Dan Grooms, professor at Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine says Merck plays a critical role in their student’s ability to serve as the next generation of industry leaders.

For more information, visit www.cvm.msu.edu.

— Adapted from a release from Merck Animal Health.

— Compiled by JD Rosman, Angus Media.

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