News Update

March 7, 2017

Wildfire Devastation

Our hearts go out to those affected by the wind-induced wildfires that raced across four states the evening of Monday, March 6. Fires were reported in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Colorado, and many emergency crews and volunteers are still continuing their fight against the flames.

The Gardiner Angus Ranch near Ashland, Kan., was among those impacted by the high-speed wildfire. Thankfully, no injuries were sustained and facilities were reportedly preserved despite some of the sustained destruction. Garth Gardiner shares how the community is responding in this report from KAKE TV.

The Kansas Livestock Foundation is accepting donations for recovery efforts across the state. Go online (http://ow.ly/xdgb309GcU6) to donate or for more information.

— Announcement from the American Angus Association.

Anticipating the 2018 Farm Bill

“I don’t need to tell any of you it’s a really interesting time to be living and working in Washington, D.C., right now,” said Bart Fischer as he addressed attendees Feb. 3 at the 2017 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show in Nashville, Tenn.

Fischer, who is chief economist for the House Agricultural Committee, provided remarks about the early groundwork being laid for the 2018 Farm Bill.

He shared that the first field hearing to gather feedback on Farm Bill concerns is scheduled for Feb. 23 on the Kansas State University campus in Manhattan, with more field hearings providing producers opportunity to give input being planned around the country throughout the spring.

Although Farm Bill talks are beginning, Fischer noted that Congress faces several other big issues in the coming year: the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act, confirmation hearings for incoming President Donald Trump’s nominees, and an expanding federal deficit. He explained that each of these will take up legislative time and could shadow the Farm Bill process.

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

Beck Weathers’ Miracle on Everest

“The stars above seem so close; you feel like you could reach out, pluck them from the heavens and put them in your pocket.”

Beck Weathers claims that is just one of the reasons he became addicted to mountain climbing. Mostly, though, Beck was an adrenaline junkie. Career and family weren’t enough for the Dallas, Texas, pathologist. He craved new opportunities to test the limits of his physical and mental endurance by conquering the next most challenging mountain peak and the next. At no small cost to his relationships with wife, family and friends, searching for the next big thrill became Weathers’ insatiable obsession.

Speaking during the 2017 Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville, Tenn., Weathers told attendees from across the United States how he learned to stop and smell the roses — to appreciate the simple things life offers. It didn’t happen, though, until after he nearly lost his life in what has been called the worst mountain climbing disaster ever to occur on Mount Everest.

Weathers recounted the events that did claim eight other climbers’ lives in 1996, and how the experience changed his outlook on life.

— Adapted from an article by Troy Smith for Angus Media.

State Beef Councils Pursue Efforts to Promote Beef’s Image

The Federation of State Beef Councils, composed of state beef councils from around the country, is diligently at work guiding checkoff programming within state and national efforts to continue to promote beef.

A Federation Forum was hosted Feb. 2 at the 2017 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show in Nashville, Tenn., to highlight some of the priorities and projects taking place.

Of the collaborative efforts between National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) staff and state beef council staff, Patti Brumbach, representing the Washington State Beef Commission on the Federation Advisory Council, remarked, “We are taskmasters at working together and sharing ideas and then applying and tailoring them to our own states and to national. We have this symbiotic relationship.”

She noted that it is truly representative of the maxim, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

Continue reading in the Angus Media news article online.

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

New Select Sires Employees

Nearly 20 A.I. technicians, sales representatives, Select Mating Service® (SMS®) genetic consultants, Select Reproductive Solutions® (SRS®) specialists, Program for Genetic Advancement™ (PGA™) coordinators, sales support managers and specialists, and dairy analytics, information systems and administrative personnel took part in Select Sires’ employee orientation hosted Feb. 14 and 15 at the Select Sires headquarters in Plain City, Ohio.

Employees from six member cooperatives and Select Sires Inc. attended the two-day event where they received superior education to better serve Select Sires’ customers. Following orientation, a majority of the attendees participated in an additional two days of extensive sales training.

For more information, view the Select Sires news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Danielle Brown, Select Sires Inc.

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

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