News Update

November 16, 2016

Enriquez Highlights
Global Changes Occurring

Juan Enriquez was introduced as a “thought leader” and “someone who lives in the future” as he was called to the stage to deliver keynote remarks kicking off the second International Genomics Symposium, which was hosted as part of the 2016 Angus Convention Nov. 5 in Indianapolis, Ind. The symposium was sponsored by Neogen GeneSeek Operations.

Enriquez is recognized as one of the world’s leading authorities on the profound changes that genomics and other life sciences will bring about in business, technology, politics and society.

Enriquez shared a series of examples — from Uber to three-D printers — that have proven to be industry game changers.

Regarding Uber, he noted that in less than a decade the company has proven to be a formidable competition to traditional taxis, and today Uber is worth $68 billion. For perspective, that equates to the entire economy of Uruguay and is greater than the value of 70% of Fortune 500 companies. Uber is now more valuable than Ford, GM and Honda combined.

Continue reading in the Angus Media news article online.

— Adapted from an article by Kindra Gordon for Angus Media.

Apply Now for Beef Scholarships

Each year the Certified Angus Beef^® (CAB^®) Colvin Fund awards thousands in scholarship dollars to students looking to make a difference in the beef community.

The annual Colvin Scholarship awards recognize Louis M. “Mick” Colvin, co-founder and executive director of the CAB brand for 21 years. After he retired in 1999, CAB established the fund to carry on his legacy of making dreams a reality and inspiring others to be their best.

Undergraduates can win $6,000, $5,000, $4,000, $3,000 and $2,000, and $6,000 for a graduate student in 2017.

College juniors and seniors who have shown commitment to the beef industry, either through coursework or activities, are encouraged to apply by the Dec. 12 deadline. These will be evaluated on activities, academic achievements, communication skills and reference letters.

For more information, view the CAB news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Katie Alexander, Certified Angus Beef LLC.

USFRA Elects New Chairman and Executive Committee

As an organization founded in 2010 to unite agriculture and earn consumer trust in today’s farming and ranching practices, U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) is proud to announce its third chairman. Following two predecessors and exceptional advocates for agriculture, Chairman Bob Stallman, representing American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), and Chairwoman Nancy Kavazanjian, representing United Soybean Board, South Dakota crop and livestock farmer and National Pork Board member, Brad Greenway will serve as the new chairman.

Elected at the USFRA board meeting on Nov. 8 in Kansas City, Mo., Greenway will be joined by a new executive committee, including:

Vice Chairman Chip Bowling, representing the National Corn Growers Association,
Treasurer Scott VanderWal, representing AFBF,
Secretary Roberta Simpson-Dolbeare, representing the Illinois Soybean Association,
Immediate Past Chairwoman Nancy Kavazanjian, representing the United Soybean Board,
At-Large Monty Henderson, representing the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association, and
At-Large Partner Mike Parrish, representing Monsanto.

For more information, view the USFRA news release online.

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

Veterinary Services in Rural Communities

The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Nov. 3 awarded more than $4.3 million to 48 American veterinarians to help repay a portion of their veterinary school loans in return for serving in areas lacking sufficient veterinary resources critical to America’s food safety, food security, and to the health and well-being of animals and humans. The awards, made through NIFA’s Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP), will fill shortage needs in 27 states.

Studies indicate there are significant shortages of food animal veterinarians in certain areas of the nation and in high-priority specialty sectors that require advanced training, such as food safety, epidemiology, diagnostic medicine and public health. A leading cause for this shortage is the high cost of professional veterinary medical training that leaves current graduates of veterinary colleges with, on average, student loan debt of more than $135,000.

For more information, view the USDA news release online.

— Adapted from a release by the USDA.

Southwest Beef Symposium

With the significant change in the cattle market, taking advantage of every possible tool or bit of information that will improve production is needed now more than ever.

This year’s SW Beef Symposium is focused on helping producers become more efficient and productive in their respective operations. The symposium will be hosted Jan. 11-12, 2017, at the Roswell Convention Center, Roswell, N.M.

First day topics include Global Factors Affecting U.S. Beef Demand; Defining Sustainability; Performance Indicators for Cow-Calf Producers; and Explanation of the Market Swings and What to Expect. On Day 2, the focus will be on: How to Improve Production Through Technology; Genomics; Feed Efficiency; and Fetal Programming.

In addition, the SW Beef Symposium Trade Show is always a highlight, and typically attracts more than 20 vendors.

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

— Adapted from a release by New Mexico State University.

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