News Update
May 22, 2017
Adaptive Management
According to conventional wisdom, managers of grazing lands should err on the side of conservatism. Many also find comfort in applying some kind of formula for determining stocking rate. Range Scientist Justin Derner thinks that’s why so many managers stock their ranges and pastures according to what he calls a “traditional” method.
“They want to use a moderate stocking rate — the old take half, leave half approach. So they plan to use 50% of their average annual forage production, and that works about a third of the time,” explains the Cheyenne, Wyo., based researcher for the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS).
According to Derner, the problem with always stocking grazing lands on the basis of average forage production is that so few years actually match the average. When growing conditions are most favorable — plenty of timely precipitation — forage production is higher. When rainfall amounts are low or are not timely, forage production will be less than average. Few people complain about abundance, but a drought-induced scarcity of forage can force a manager to make hard decisions.
Continue reading this Angus Media news article online.
Southern National Cancelled
This year’s Southern National Angus Show, scheduled for June 2-3 in Perry, Ga., has been cancelled due to lack of participation. The Southern National has a long history and the Georgia Angus Association (GAA) Board and Southern National Committee took much consideration into making this decision. The event has many longtime exhibitors and supporters who have played a part in the success of the show.
The board and committee are eager to start moving forward in planning next year’s show, looking at dates, locations and details that will benefit those interested in participating.
If you have entered the show or sent in a sponsorship, they will be returned shortly.
NCBA: “Don’t Jeopardize Our Success Under NAFTA”
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) May 18 joined its cattle-industry partners in Canada and Mexico in sending a joint letter to the presidents of those two nations and to President Trump, urging the three leaders to not “jeopardize the success we have all enjoyed as partners of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).”
The letter to President Trump, President Justin Trudeau of Canada, and President Enrique Pena Nieto of Mexico was signed by NCBA President Craig Uden, Dan Darling, president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, and Oswaldo Chazaro Montalvo, president of the Confederación Nacional de Organizaciones Ganaderas.
“Recent statements about the possible dissolution of NAFTA or potential renegotiation of NAFTA are deeply concerning to us because of the unnecessary risk it places on our producers,” the letter states. “While there may be general agreement among the countries to improve some parts of the NAFTA trade framework, we urge you to recognize that the terms of the agreement affecting cattle producers are strongly supported as they currently exist and should not be altered.”
For more information, read the NCBA news release online.
More Than 230 Students Receive FFA Jackets From Culver’s
When does a jacket stand for faith, honor and pride? When it’s an FFA blue jacket. Local Culver’s restaurants along with Culver’s Support Center worked with the National FFA Organization, which develops its members’ unique talents and explores their interests through agricultural education, to donate more than $30,000 to the organization’s blue jacket program.
Culver’s blue jacket donation is part of their Thank You Farmers™ program, which raises awareness about the importance of the agricultural industry and supports future ag leaders.
Culver’s donation will cover the cost of 238 blue jackets for FFA members across the country who may otherwise not be able to purchase one. The blue corduroy jackets are the official dress of FFA and unite a network of more than 649,000 future agricultural leaders across the country, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“For FFA members who have such a passion for agriculture, wearing the blue jacket is a sign of their commitment to the future of agriculture,” said Jessie Corning, senior marketing manager for Culver’s. “We’re proud to provide jackets to these deserving students.”
Read the full Culver’s news release online.
Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting
The Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting features meetings of the NCBA, Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion & Research Board, American National CattleWomen Inc. and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation.
The cattle industry comes together twice a year to discuss current issues as a group, to work on programs and initiatives and to set the course we should take with our various projects for the betterment of the beef cattle industry.
Here cattle industry members will meet in both NCBA policy committees and subcommittees, as well as joint committees and subcommittees to discuss current developments, to work on initiatives developed at the Annual Cattle Industry Convention and to make plans for the upcoming fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.
The 2017 Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting will take place July 12-15, 2017, in Denver, Colo., at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Learn more meeting details online.
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