News Update

March 9, 2017

Dealing with Record-setting Wildfires

Wind-whipped fires sped across large swaths of southern and western Kansas on Tuesday, March 7, killing an as-yet unknown number of livestock and wildlife, forcing the closure of numerous roads and highways, and evacuations in at least 10 communities.

An Oklahoma truck driver died Monday night in Clark County because of smoke inhalation, and red-flag warnings for high winds are expected to remain in effect through Thursday for much of the state.

As of Wednesday afternoon, nearly 660,000 acres had burned in 21 counties and fires were still burning in Clark, Comanche, Ellis, Reno and Rooks counties. A broad network of K-State Research and Extension professionals involved in land management, forestry and agriculture are helping Kansans in several ways.

All Kansas Forest Service fire staff members, as well as temporary fire personnel, are fully engaged in the multiple fires around the state, according to Jennifer Williams, communications coordinator for the Kansas Forest Service, which is assisting with incident management teams in the Clark, Ford and Reno county areas, as well as coordinating incoming aircraft and strike teams.

For more information, view the K-State news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Mary Lou Peter, Kansas State University Research and Extension.

Wendy’s: Committed to Our Corners

Do you know that Wendy’s burgers feature fresh, never frozen, North American beef? It’s true, and that’s a message Wendy’s executives are working to share with consumers. Their market research in 2014 showed that seven in 10 consumers did not know that information about the burger restaurant chain.

Through commercials, social media conversations and a 2017 Super Bowl ad, Wendy’s is hoping to move the needle on consumers’ perceptions and support for Wendy’s fresh beef.

Likewise, Wendy’s executives are committed to collaborating with the cattle industry as they look to the future of developing their brand.

Three Wendy’s executives, Liliana Esposito, director of communication; Dennis Hecker, head of quality assurance; and Carl Loredo, vice president of brand marketing, addressed cattle producers Feb. 2 during a Learning Lounge session at the 2017 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show in Nashville, Tenn.

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

PLC, NCBA Applaud Senate Push
for Transparency of Judgment Fund

The Public Lands Council (PLC) and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) applaud the introduction of the Judgment Fund Transparency Act, introduced March 8 in the U.S. Senate.

The bill, introduced by Senators Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), and co-sponsored by Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID), seeks to provide increased oversight and transparency of the Treasury Department Judgment Fund.

The fund was established in 1956 and is used to pay court judgments and settlements in cases brought against the federal government, if those costs are not otherwise covered by appropriated agency budgets. Currently, the Treasury has no reporting requirements or accountability to Congress or taxpayers.

“The livestock industry fully supports Sens. Gardner’s and Fischer’s introduction of the Judgment Fund Transparency Act, a good-governance transparency bill which will serve as a major step forward in the effort to track currently unaccounted-for tax dollars being used to put our producers out of business,” said PLC and NCBA Federal Lands Executive Director Ethan Lane.

For more information, view the NCBA news release online.

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

NFU Concludes Convention with Adoption of Policy,
Special Orders of Business

The National Farmers Union (NFU) 115th Anniversary Convention concluded March 8 following the adoption of the organization’s policy book and special orders of business. Nearly 500 family farmers and ranchers convened in San Diego both to engage in thoughtful policy deliberations, as well as to learn from agricultural experts and each another.

The adopted policy book and special orders of business will guide the organization’s government affairs priorities over the course of the next year, including the current farm crisis and upcoming deliberations on the 2018 Farm Bill.

“As a family farmer and rancher-led organization, our grassroots policy adoption process is the most important part of our annual convention,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “This year, NFU delegates adopted strong language to address a variety of issues facing family agriculture and rural communities, including the depressed farm economy, corporate consolidation and international trade.”

For more information, view the NFU news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Andrew Jerome, National Farmers Union.

Hit RFD-TV Series “FarmHer” Returns with 13 New Episodes

RFD-TV’s award-winning primetime television series, FarmHer, returns with all new episodes this Friday, March 10, at 9:30 p.m. EST.

Join host, photographer and founder of FarmHer, Marji Guyler-Alaniz, as she travels across the country capturing fascinating stories of dynamic women in agriculture, who are doing great work. From a scientist to a stock contractor, to a horse trainer, cheesemaker, tomato grower, cattle producer, FFA advisor, stock show competitor and more, the FarmHers of season one continue to showcase the diversity, beauty and importance of women in the agriculture industry.

For more information, view the RFD-TV news release online.

— Adapted from a release by RFD-TV.

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

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