News Update

November 10, 2016

Future Angus Stockmen
Scholarship Awarded

Commercial cattlemen play a central role within the beef business, as they work to produce high-quality cattle to perform down the production chain.

To help encourage the next generation of commercial cattle producers, the American Angus Association launched the Future Angus Stockman program, which awards a $1,000 scholarship annually thanks to support from Allflex and Destron Fearing.

This year’s recipient, Dan Johnson of Dillon, Mont., was announced during the Association’s Awards Recognition Breakfast Nov. 7. The event was hosted as part of the 2016 Angus Convention in Indianapolis, Ind.

Johnson is a junior at Kansas State University studying agribusiness. With aspirations to manage his own commercial-Angus cattle operation, he also plans to pursue a career in livestock marketing. Johnson found his love for the cattle industry when his father presented his first commercial-Angus heifer as a gift.

Over the years, he has worked to develop his own herd, as well as helping with all aspects of the family’s cattle operation. His herd has grown to 40 head, and earned him recognition as the state champion in Montana FFA Beef Proficiency and the State Star Farmer.

Please view the full Angus news release online.

— Adapted from a release by JD Rosman, Angus Media.

U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance^® Unveils
The Faces Of Farming & Ranching Winners

From the cotton fields in the South Plains of West Texas and broilers and cattle of Shenandoah Valley in Virginia to America’s dairyland in Wisconsin and the broad diversity of pigs, sheep, corn and soybeans in Ohio, the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance’s (USFRA) next class of Faces of Farming & Ranching capture the passion behind agriculture and drive for sustainability and technology on today’s SMART Farm.

Unveiled at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Convention in Kansas City, the winners include Lauren Arbogast of Virginia, Jeremy Brown of Texas, Emily Buck of Ohio, Katie Roth of Wisconsin and Lauren Schwab of Ohio. These incredible farmers will share their personal stories through influential conversations on a national stage with consumers, influencers and end users to help earn consumer trust and confidence in U.S. food and agriculture.

“Agriculture today is driven by technology and an unparalleled commitment to animal care, and this group of exceptional farmers and ranchers are such an accurate portrayal of the entire agricultural community,” said Brad Greenway, USFRA chairman and South Dakota crop and livestock farmer.

For more information, please view the full USFRA news release online.

— Adapted from a release by the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance.

NCBA Statement Regarding the 2016 National Election

Statement by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Tracy Brunner following the 2016 national election:

“Although it is still too early to determine what exactly this election will mean for our priorities, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association remains committed to expanding access to foreign markets, fighting burdensome federal regulations and ensuring the continued health of our herd and industry. I am proud to see that across the nation, the majority of candidates and incumbents we, and our state affiliates supported through the NCBA Political Action Committee, were elected or re-elected.

“In the coming weeks, we will continue to work with Congress to pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), defund EPA’s flawed Waters of the United States rule, and pass the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes language to mitigate the sage grouse stubble height requirements and other restrictions on grazing based on flawed science. In the year ahead, we look forward to working with a new Congress and Administration to ensure the priorities of cattlemen and women nationwide are met.”

For more information, please view the full NCBA news release online.

— Adapted from a release by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

Firestone Executive Receives FFA Award

Bridgestone Americas Inc. (Bridgestone) announced Nov. 8 that Tom Rodgers, executive director, global agricultural solutions, Bridgestone Corp., received the 2016 Honorary American FFA degree at the organization’s annual convention & expo in Indianapolis. The Honorary American FFA Degree recognizes individuals who have gone beyond valuable daily contributions to make an extraordinary long-term difference in the lives of students, inspiring confidence in a new generation of agriculturists.

“I’m honored to receive this award from FFA,” said Rodgers. “The U.S. agriculture industry continues to evolve each year, and it is critical that we continue educating the next generation of farmers about the promising opportunities in this line of work. Spending my entire life around agriculture, it is an honor to be recognized by an organization that I have admired for many years.”

Rodgers began his career with Firestone Ag in 2008 and has served in numerous management positions, including the director of sales and marketing. He was instrumental in launching the Advance Deflection Design (AD2™) technology product lines and in the launch of the agricultural industry’s first radial implement tire line, Destination Farm.

For more information, please view the full news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Bridgestone Americas Inc.

High Plains Ag Conference set Dec. 9 in Lubbock

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will conduct the annual High Plains Ag Conference from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 1102 E. Farm-to-Market Road 1294 in Lubbock.

“This program will offer a wide variety of crop and pasture-related information pertinent to producers across our region,” said Robert Scott, AgriLife Extension agent in Lubbock County. “We’ll also be offering five Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units for those with a valid private pesticide applicators license.”

The Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units offered will be two integrated pest management, one laws and regulations, and two general.

Individual preregistration, which includes lunch, is $35 by Dec. 7 and $45 thereafter with no lunch guarantee. For more information, contact Scott at 806-775-1740 or rj-scott@tamu.edu.

Topics and presenters will include:

Preview of New Cotton Varieties and Traits, Seth Byrd, AgriLife Extension cotton specialist, Lubbock.
Brush and Weed Management, Tim Steffens, AgriLife Extension range specialist, Canyon.
Pesticide Laws and Regulations, Steve Boston, Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide inspector, Lubbock.

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

— Adapted from a release by Steve Byrns, Texas AgriLife Communications.

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

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