News Update
January 19, 2017
Cattlemen’s Boot Camp Deadline Extended
Cattle producers are invited to gather for a Cattlemen’s Boot Camp Feb. 17-18, 2017, at the Fayette County Extension Office in Lexington, Ky. The event is hosted by the American Angus Association in partnership with the University of Kentucky, and provides purebred and commercial producers timely information presented by academic and industry professionals.
Registration is now available online and has been extended until Jan. 23.
Cattlemen’s Boot Camp events are engaging educational opportunities for both seedstock and commercial producers alike, says Chelsey Smith, Association assistant director of events and education. The day-and-a-half event is packed with industry speakers and reports on research with significant impacts on the beef business.
Open to all cattle producers, the event is funded by the Angus Foundation and features educational speakers and hands-on activities to help improve herd operations. The workshop is packed with pertinent information including bull selection, reproductive technologies, genetic markets, forage management and much more.
For more information, view the Angus news release online.
American Farm Bureau Strongly Endorses Perdue for USDA
The following statement may be attributed to Zippy Duvall, president, American Farm Bureau Federation:
“The nomination of former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue for Secretary of Agriculture is welcome news to the nation’s farmers and ranchers. Gov. Perdue will provide the strong voice that agriculture needs in the new administration. He is an outstanding nominee.
“I have known Gov. Perdue for years. I’ve seen firsthand his commitment to the business of agriculture as we worked together on issues facing farmers and ranchers in our home state of Georgia. He understands the challenges facing rural America because that’s where he was born and raised. He is a businessman who recognizes the impact immigration reform, trade agreements and regulation have on a farmer’s bottom line and ability to stay in business from one season to the next.”
Administration Pushes Forward with Organic Marketing Rule
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Tracy Brunner released the following statement in response to the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service’s Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices final rule:
“The Obama Administration has bowed to the whims and demands of animal activists rather than talking to the industry as a whole to see what is best for the program and for consumers. This rule sends a clear signal that an activist agenda is more important to the outgoing Administration than any true attempt to clarify a consumer’s perception of what ‘organic’ means.
“NOP is a marketing program, not an animal health, welfare or safety program and certainly not a place to set animal welfare requirements. Cattlemen and women have worked diligently over the past 30 years to develop and improve animal care and handling standards through the Beef Quality Assurance Program, which is continuously reviewed and updated as new science becomes available.”
Still Time to Saddle Up for the Final Days of Stock Show
The 111th National Western Stock Show (NWSS) got off to another successful start in 2017. Since the doors opened over a week ago on Jan. 7, more than 460,000 guests have visited the Colorado tradition.
“We know that there is so much for people to do and that they live very busy lives. We appreciate having them spend some of that time with us,” said Paul Andrews, NWSS president & CEO. “The success of our show depends on our guests, and we are excited to have had so many come through our gates so far. We work hard all year long to ensure there is plenty to do and see at the National Western and preserve this Colorado tradition.”
The 2017 Stock Show continues through Sunday, Jan. 22, with ten remaining pro rodeos, including the U.S. Bank Pro Rodeo Finals on Sunday. There are six more horse shows, more than 600 trade show exhibits, NW Nursery, educational tours and the announcement of the Grand Champion Steer which will be on display at the Brown Palace, Friday, Jan. 20.
For more information, view the schedule online.
Cow-Calf Conference Feb. 10 in Goodland
“Succeeding in a Challenging Beef Industry” is the focus of the 2017 Tri-State Cow-Calf Symposium and Trade Show scheduled for Friday, Feb. 10, in Goodland, Kan.
The event rotates between Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado and is a joint effort between K-State Research & Extension, the University of Nebraska Extension and Colorado State University Extension. The goal is to provide a venue to share both research data and ideas that can help producers be more successful in contributing to the world’s food supply and to their local communities.
The program begins with a discussion by John Holman, K-State cropping systems agronomist, on integrating crop and livestock systems. A panel of producers will share their experience with this process. Panel members will include representatives from Maddux Cattle Co., Wauneta, Neb., and CSF Farms, Siebert, Colo.
For more information, visit the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events.
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