News Update
May 3, 2017
Cooking Competitions at the NJAS
The Auxiliary-sponsored All-American Certified Angus Beef® Cook-Off ranks among the most popular contests each year at the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS). The competition challenges juniors to prepare a beef-inspired dish and creatively present their meal to a panel of judges.
While there are plenty of laughs and fun during the daylong event, participants learn the importance of communicating about beef nutrition and the Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) brand.
“We are looking forward to another impressive year for the CAB Cook-Off at the National Junior Angus Show,” says Anne Lampe, American Angus Auxiliary Cook-Off co-chair. “Every year there’s something different, and we are impressed by the enthusiasm and talent our juniors bring to the competition.”
May 15 is the deadline to enter this year’s event hosted July 11 in conjunction with the 2017 NJAS at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa.
National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) members compete in state groups to develop a recipe and prepare it in one of three meat categories: steaks, roasts and other beef items.
Continue reading this Angus news release online.
Daily Livestock Report
The June fed cattle futures contract closed May 2 at $127.05 per hundredweight (cwt.), a whopping $17 (+15%) higher than where it was priced about a month ago. Much of those gains have been realized in the last few days as packers struggle to maintain a relatively big number. Yet how many pounds of beef did we actually harvest and how many pounds were available to market participants in the spot market? It is a good question and one needs to look a little behind the headline USDA numbers to try and answer.
USDA pegged total beef production for last week at 501.2 million pounds, 4.4% higher than last year. This number is calculated as the product of estimated slaughter and estimated weights. It includes both beef from fed cattle, as well as beef from cows and bulls. Fed beef production last week likely did not show the same kind of increase as what the total slaughter would indicate but we do not have actual data from USDA to calculate it.
Here’s what our estimates show. Steer and heifer slaughter for the week likely was around 500,000 head.
Learn more information in the full report online.
Farm Bureau Accepting Applications for Women’s Communication Boot Camp
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is now accepting applications for its 11th Women’s Communication Boot Camp class, Oct. 24-27 in Washington, D.C.
The three-day intensive training is open to all women who are Farm Bureau members. The training offers sessions on public speaking, testifying, targeting your message and working with the media.
Sherry Saylor, an Arizona row-crop farmer and chair of the AFB Women’s Leadership Committee (WLC) is enthusiastic about the benefits of the program.
“We’re pleased to offer a select class of Farm Bureau women an experience of a lifetime through Women’s Communication Boot Camp,” Saylor said. “Graduates of this program are empowered, passionate and persuasive, lending their voices to effectively advocate and connect with influencers at the local, state and national levels.”
Fifteen women will be selected to participate in this year’s program, which is sponsored by the AFBWLC. Applications are available online or through state Farm Bureaus. The deadline for submissions is June 15. All applicants will be notified of their status by July 15.
For more information, view the Farm Bureau news release online.
Use Shock Chlorination to Disinfect Contaminated Wells
Heavy rains and rising rivers may flood wells.
“Wells could be contaminated with bacteria, viruses or parasites that can make you ill,” said Van Ayers, a University of Missouri (MU) Extension agriculture and rural development specialist.
Water from a flooded well should not be used for drinking or food preparation until the well and plumbing system have been disinfected and the water has been tested for safety.
In addition to dangerous pathogens, floodwater can carry abrasive sediment, debris and other contaminants that can damage well equipment, Ayers said.
If you must use the water, check with your local health department for recommendations on how long to boil water before using. Consider using alternative water sources such as bottled water.
If your well does have run-in water, you should take steps to ensure the safety of the water and minimize damage to the well.
Turn off the electricity to the pump and inspect the well and pumping system for run-in and signs of damage. If the well cap is missing or is not watertight, debris or sediment may have entered the well.
Read the full news release online.
Ranchers Roundup — Managing Range and
Livestock Pests slated for May 24 in Sonora
Ranchers Roundup — Managing Range and Livestock Pests will be conducted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service May 24 at the Sutton County Civic Center, 1700 N. Crockett St. in Sonora.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The program will follow from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Pascual Hernandez, AgriLife Extension agent in Sutton County, said the tri-county program is being hosted by the AgriLife Extension offices in Sutton, Edwards and Val Verde counties.
Individual registration is $15 by May 19 and $20 thereafter. The fee includes the noon meal. For more information and to register, call the AgriLife Extension office in Sutton County at 325-387-3101.
“Though timely rains benefited our rangelands, the mild winter and subsequent rainfall have also increased rangeland and livestock pests,” Hernandez said. “The annual Ranchers Roundup program will address those issues. Speakers will also speak on the outlook for wool and hair sheep and take a second look at Spanish goats.”
Topics and speakers will include:
— Using the Right Herbicide for the Job, Ralph Porter, Dow rangeland specialist, Abilene.
For more information, visit the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events.
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