News Update
January 18, 2017
Angus Foundation Raises More Than $265,000
The Angus Foundation Heifer Package has been the premier fundraiser for the Angus Foundation to generate funds for Angus youth, education and research efforts. Generous Angus breeders from across the country stepped up as buyers on Wednesday, Jan. 11, at the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) Angus Bull Sale in Denver, Colo., to raise $265,750 in support of the Angus Foundation.
It was standing room only in the historic Stadium Arena when the Angus Foundation Heifer Package sold for $170,000 to longtime Angus supporters Charles W. and Judy Herbster of Herbster Angus Farms, Falls City, Neb.
“We are honored to support the Angus Foundation by once again purchasing the Angus Foundation Heifer Package,” says Charles W. Herbster, Herbster Angus Farms CEO and president. “We strongly support Angus youth activities, and this is a great way to ensure a bright future for youth who want to be involved in the Angus business.”
The heifer that headlined the 2017 Angus Foundation Heifer Package was Basin Lucy 6265, donated by Doug and Sharon Stevenson, Basin Angus Ranch, Joliet, Mont.
For more information, view the Angus news release online.
Manage Risk, Ensure Value
In a cattle market where every dollar counts, it’s important to consider ways to add value on your next set of calves. The American Angus Association’s AngusSource® program is a way to ensure Angus-sired calves generate the premiums they deserve.
A marketing option for any commercial producer who sells feeder calves or replacement heifers sired by a registered-Angus bull, AngusSource is a USDA process-verified age-and-source program that documents a minimum 50% Angus genetics. During the past year, AngusSource has enrolled groups of calves ranging from six to 3,200 head, identifying high-quality cattle that are worth the added investment.
In a six-year study of Superior Livestock data, AngusSource calves received a $2.56 per hundredweight (cwt.) premium over non-verified calves.
“When you carry that over a typical lot of 650-pound steers, you’ve got nearly $750 to add to your bottom line,” said Ginette Gottswiller, Association director of commercial programs. “The value of age and genetic verification remains strong in the cattle market, and we hope producers consider enrolling their next calf crop in AngusSource.”
For more information, view the Angus Media news article online.
Cattlemen Call on U.S. Senate to Confirm EPA Administrator
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Jan. 17, sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works expressing strong support for the nomination of Scott Pruitt to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and called for his swift confirmation.
“As Oklahoma’s Attorney General, Mr. Pruitt led the fight to bring common sense back to environmental regulation and he was an unrivaled defender of private property rights,” NCBA’s President, Tracy Brunner, said in the letter. “In fact, in 2015 the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association honored Mr. Pruitt with its Distinguished Service Award for his dedication to those principles.”
Decisions made by EPA impact America’s hundreds of thousands of cattle producers every day. NCBA’s top priority at EPA is stopping its “waters of the United States” rule, which the group says is so broad that it would give federal agencies jurisdiction over all types of features, including dry features, including ditches, swales, gullies and mudflats.
For more information, view the NCBA news release online.
Missouri Fencing Laws
Missouri landowners and renters can learn about the state’s complex fencing and boundary laws at sessions offered by University of Missouri (MU) Extension.
A new state law offers protection to responsible livestock owners. Under the law, which went into effect in October 2016, livestock owners would not be liable for damage caused by livestock unless found negligent in fencing practices, according to MU Extension agricultural business specialist Joe Koenen.
Koenen teaches a class on fencing law from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Feb. 13. The sessions will take place at various sites throughout the state via Skype. MU Extension faculty will moderate the sessions at local sites. Another session will be offered March 7 at different locations.
“This is one of MU Extension’s most popular sessions, so I suggest early registration,” Koenen says. There is a $15 fee for the session and materials.
For more information, view the MU news release online.
Fresh Approach to Alfalfa, Stored Forages
The University of Kentucky (UK) and the Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council will host the 36th annual Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference. The daylong event will begin at 8 a.m. CST Feb. 21 at the Cave City Convention Center in Cave City.
Event participants will hear presentations from UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment specialists, as well as forage specialists from the University of Georgia, the USDA’s Agriculture Research Service, industry representatives and some of the state’s top forage producers. Attendees can also participate in the conference’s annual silent auction.
Conference organizers have applied for continuing education units for Certified Crop Advisers.
For more information, view the news release online.
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