News Update
December 9, 2016
In the Shoes of the Customers, Buyers
Angus bull buyers paid record-high prices in 2015. The calves from those sires are going to market now, and breeders should be helping their customers get the most out of the investment.
That was the message from three panelists at an Angus University Workshop during the 2016 Angus Convention in Indianapolis, Ind., Nov. 5-7.
“When I left college in ’77, I swore that some day we would get paid for our genetics,” said Mike Kasten, a commercial cattleman from Millersville, Mo. “I didn’t know it would be the mid-’90s before that actually happened.”
Twelve years into his 42-year career, the producer started retaining ownership of his calves through the finishing phase, but the rewards weren’t immediate. As value-based marketing developed, the incentive for breeding and managing cattle for high-quality end points became more apparent.
“We still see [a] $500 to $600 difference from the most profitable calf to the least profitable,” said Kasten, who currently runs the Quality Beef by the Numbers program. His goal is to keep learning about the top performers and the bottom end, and replicate the former.
Continue reading in the Angus Media news article online.
Angus Membership 101
“Angus Membership 101” was the title of the leadoff presentation in a series of informational workshops offered during the 2016 Angus Convention hosted Nov. 5-7 by the American Angus Association in Indianapolis, Ind. Jerry Cassady, the Association’s director of member services offered an overview of the organization, the focus of which has broadened from breed registry to provider of a growing list of services and programs designed to manage and market Angus cattle.
According to Cassady, the Association’s regular members, life members, junior members and affiliate members collectively represent about 25,000 individuals and entities. During the last year member-breeders registered approximately 157,000 bulls and 176,000 females. While many came from large Angus herds, 75% of members’ herds consist of 20 cows or less.
Cassady noted that many Angus breeders rank among cattle producers who utilize reproductive technologies including artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transfer (ET). For example, of the animals registered in the past 12 months, 53% were offspring of AI sires.
Read more in the Angus Media news article online.
Modernization of Nebraska Feed Plant
Archer Daniels Midland Co. (NYSE: ADM) announced Dec. 8 that it will build a new, state-of-the-art feed facility to replace its current plant in Columbus, Neb.
“Columbus is a key location for our U.S. business and is perfectly situated for a new, modern plant to serve our customers throughout the region,” said Brent Fenton, president of ADM Animal Nutrition. “Its existing infrastructure — including warehousing space and rail access, along with ingredient availability and proximity to our customer base — make it an ideal choice for our latest new facility.”
The new facility will feature: expanded warehouse space to serve our customers more quickly and efficiently; enhanced ability to serve increased demand for ADM products; automated packaging and process controls; and new production line to provide range blocks for cattle, dairy cows and horses.
ADM is targeting completion of the new plant in early 2018. The current Columbus facility will remain operational during construction.
Kansas Youth Receive $27,000 in Scholarships
Twenty-six scholarship winners for the 2016-2017 school year were recognized during the annual Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) Convention Nov. 30 in Wichita. A total of $27,100 was presented by the Kansas Livestock Foundation (KLF) and its partners.
Three Kansas State University veterinary school students were chosen to each receive a $1,500 Ralgro Wheels for Bucks (WFB) scholarship from Merck Animal Health and KLF. Six Kansas students each have been awarded, through KLF, $1,000 Wheels for Bucks Scholarships. Hadley Schotte of Marysville has been awarded the $1,000 Cattlemen’s Scholarship from GoBob Pipe & Steel and KLF.
Cade Hibdon has been awarded the $1,000 Cancrete Cattle Waterers Scholarship through KLF. The $1,000 Glenn & Clyde Lindstrom Scholarship has been awarded through KLF to Braden Mishler, the son of Brian and Janet Mishler from Arnold.
Four $1,000 Hampel Oil Scholarships have been presented to K-State students. Five students from across the state have received $1,000 “Youth in Agriculture” scholarships from KLF.
For more information, view the KLA news release online.
NFU Opens Registration for 115th Anniversary Convention
National Farmers Union (NFU) announced that registration is open for its 115th anniversary convention. The conference, which gathers family farmers and ranchers from across the country, industry professionals and notable speakers, will be hosted March 5-8, 2017, at the Catamaran Resort Hotel in San Diego, Calif.
The state of the farm economy and the upcoming farm bill will be a primary focus for the convention’s keynote speakers and panel discussions, while an agricultural tour day will focus on local agriculture and cooperative learning.
Attendees can also register for the NFU Women’s Conference, which will be hosted prior to this year’s anniversary convention on March 4 and 5. More information is available online.
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