News Update

February 2, 2017

120th Annual Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show
Kicks Off in Nashville

The 120th annual Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show got under way Feb. 1, with more than 8,000 participants from across America and around the world gathering at Nashville’s iconic Gaylord Opryland Hotel through Saturday.

“The Convention and NCBA Trade Show is the beef industry’s largest gathering of the year, and it’s a great opportunity for everybody in the industry to network, set public policy for 2017, and learn about all the new technology and science that’s improving the quality and safety of American-produced beef every day,” said NCBA President Tracy Brunner. “Of course, we’ll manage to have a little fun in Music City, as well, so if you’re connected to the cattle industry in any way, it’s not too late to mosey on down and join us in Nashville this week.”

Cattlemen’s College^®, which is considered the premier educational resource for cattle producers, kicked off on Tuesday afternoon with educational sessions focused on genetics, health and best business practices. The doors to the NCBA Trade Show opened on Wednesday afternoon, with 353 exhibitors showcasing the industry’s latest products and technology.

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

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

North Dakota Ranch Recognized With
National Stewardship Award

Black Leg Ranch of McKenzie, N.D., was named national 2016 winner of the prestigious Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) for its commitment to protecting America’s natural resources in a flourishing operation. The award, presented this week at the 2017 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in Nashville, Tenn., is sponsored by Dow Agrosciences, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NCBA and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation.

The Black Leg Ranch is operated by the Doan family, which includes Jerry and Renae Doan, Jeremy and Ashlee Doan, Jay and Kari Doan, Jayce Doan, and Shanda and Don Morgan. The family received the Environmental Stewardship Award for NCBA’s Region VII last summer. Since 1991 the award has gone to cattle operations that demonstrate the beneficial and successful application of environmental protection to their businesses.

“The Doan family and Black Leg Ranch are a tremendous example of cattle producers committed to doing the right thing for both their businesses and the environment,” according to Dave Owens, U.S. range and pasture marketing manager for Dow Agrosciences.

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

— Adapted from a release by the NCBA.

Beef Exports Increase U.S. Carcass Values

Mouthwatering steaks, juicy burgers and delectable roasts — that’s what consumers here in the United States love. What about the underutilized parts of the beef animal? If we don’t consume them here in the United States, where do they go, and who uses them?

“I think about the world of possibility and potential that’s floating out there, especially if we are able to gain access to China,” says Louisiana beef producer Amelia Kent. “This past year, our checkoff has invested $7.2 million in export growth programs, primarily conducted through the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). That’s investing in work in international communities on how to utilize American beef and why it is safe. We just need to think not only about our marketing environments today but also think about the beef industry for the future.”

The leading beef export markets (by value) in 2016 were Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Canada, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Additional promising markets are located in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Central and South America, and Africa.

For more information, please view the full beef checkoff release online.

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

Chairman Conaway Announces Subcommittee Assignments

Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) announced Feb. 1 subcommittee assignments for the 115th Congress.

“From promoting a strong farm safety net to rolling back burdensome regulations on our producers, our subcommittees will play an integral role as this committee goes to work this Congress. The diverse background of my talented colleagues will be instrumental in crafting the next farm bill, and I look forward to working with each of these dedicated advocates,” Conaway said.

Subcommittees include General Farm Commodities and Risk Management; Nutrition; Commodity Exchanges, Energy and Credit; Biotechnology, Horticulture and Research; Livestock and Foreign Agriculture; and Conservation and Forestry.

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

— Adapted from a release by the House Committee on Agriculture.

Rising with Courage

Join me in taking a look back to 1873. A gentleman by the name of George Grant had just crossed the Atlantic Ocean with the first four Aberdeen-Angus bulls to Victoria, Kan. Just a short 10 years later, the American Aberdeen-Angus Breeders’ Association was formed, and because of him, Angus are now the largest breed of beef cattle in the United States, and we can all enjoy delicious Angus beef. George Grant’s courage allowed the Angus breed to rise to where it stands today.

Rising with courage has different meanings depending on who you ask. For some, it could be crossing off one of those bucket-list items you’ve always wanted to do. For others, it may be walking into that showring with a heifer that you don’t really trust and getting the grand champion slap. And there are those people for whom it might be standing up in front of a crowd and knocking out that speech they’ve been dreading.

We all have our own take on what rising with courage means. Today, I would like to discuss what it means to me.

For more information, please view the full Angus Media news article online.

— Adapted from a speech by Keegan Cassady, Miss American Angus.

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

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