News Update
March 28, 2017
Reputation Driven
For Virginia cattle producers, progressive marketing of quality cattle is hardly a new practice.
Their graded feeder-calf system has been in place since 1959, and they were pioneers when their Tel-O-Auction system came to be in 1982. Still, it was a bold move when the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service and Virginia Cattlemen’s Association (VCA) teamed up to offer the Virginia Quality Assured (VQA) program, a program that demands top management and genetic standards.
Risky or not, Russell County Extension Agent Scott Jessee was glad to see it.
“A lot of our producers were doing a really good job with health, genetics and nutrition. We wanted that effort recognized.”
Phillip Bundy was, and is, one of those producers. After selling through the VCA Tel-O-Auctions since 1993, he was one of the first to market through the VQA sales. “It is even better,” says the Lebanon producer. “We get load-lot prices. We’ve had sales where we have gotten $110 a head over other sales. It is unbelievable.”
Continue reading the Angus Media news article online.
President Signs Resolution to Repeal BLM Planning 2.0
President Trump signed a congressional resolution March 27 directing the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to repeal their Planning 2.0 Rule. Wyoming rancher and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) member Joel Bousman was in attendance at the White House for the signing. Ethan Lane, executive director of PLC and NCBA federal lands, applauded the action and called it a significant victory for western ranchers.
“BLM’s Planning 2.0 Rule would have caused a wholesale shift in management focus at BLM by prioritizing ‘social and environmental change’ over ensuring the multiple use of public lands,” said Lane. “When you couple the wholesale shift away from multiple-use with the elimination of stakeholder and local input, the rule was unworkable for western communities.”
House Panel on ESA Impediments to Development
Pacific Legal Foundation attorney Jonathan Wood will testify March 28 before a House subcommittee about the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the disruptive impact that its cumbersome “consultation” requirements can have on development and public-safety projects.
Conducted by the House Committee on Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, the hearing is titled, “Oversight Hearing on ESA Consultation Impediments to Economic and Infrastructure Development.”
Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Idaho, chairs the subcommittee and will oversee the hearing. The chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources is Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah.
Under the ESA, no project that might impact a listed species and requires federal permitting or funding may go forward until the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is consulted regarding those potential impacts. This process can substantially delay economic development and public-safety infrastructure projects.
Learn more by reading the PLF news release online.
Beef Cattle Conference and Ag Tour
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Hemphill County will be hosting the third annual Beef Cattle Conference and Ag Tour on April 25-26 in the Jones Pavilion, 1101 N. Sixth St. in Canadian.
“This beef cattle conference addresses the huge market swings of the industry, giving producers strategies and information on how to survive and make the most of this situation,” said Andy Holloway, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent in Hemphill County and event coordinator.
“With the recent wildfires around the Texas Panhandle, Oklahoma and Kansas, these speakers will address how producers can manage around the lack of pastures and the options available to assist their recovery from this tragedy,” Holloway said.
A two-day ticket is $100 per person with additional spouse tickets $85 during early registration. If purchased at the door, the cost is $125 per person and $100 for the extra spouse ticket.
For more information, visit the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events.
American Angus Association Member Notice
Preparations for the 2017 Annual Convention of Delegates have begun. The American Angus Association will mail delegate nomination forms only to active regular and life members who qualify as eligible voting members prior to the deadline of 4:30 p.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT) on April 7, 2017.
To be active and eligible, you must be at least 18 years of age, as well as a life or regular member, when the nomination period begins (April 10, 2017). Dues must be current and paid in full. In addition, you must have registered at least one animal or have conducted a minimum $250 worth of business with the American Angus Association or Angus Genetics Inc. within the 12 months preceding the nomination period (April 10, 2016-April 7, 2017).
Please make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements by the close of business (4:30 p.m. CDT) April 7. Members can determine their eligibility status through AAA Login at My Account > Your American Angus Association Information.
The Association’s annual meeting will be convened Monday, Nov. 6, during the Angus Convention in Fort Worth, Texas.
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