News Update
June 29, 2017
Flat Andy Journeys
to Des Moines with NJAA Members
With the 2017 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) right around the corner, Flat Andy needs help from National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) members to find his way to the show, which takes place July 9 through July 15 in Des Moines, Iowa.
As NJAA members prepare for and make their way to the show, they are encouraged to capture the process by snapping photos along their journey with Flat Andy and sharing them with the NJAA’s social media accounts.
Members who submit photos of Flat Andy will have an opportunity to win awesome prizes. Third place will receive an Angus gift pack and second place will receive a $25 Amazon gift card. The first-place Flat Andy photo will receive the grand price of a UE Boom wireless speaker that is both waterproof and shockproof.
Keep up with Flat Andy’s NJAS adventures by following the NJAA Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat accounts, which will also give juniors the opportunity to see more NJAS publicity.
Read the Angus Media news release online.
Flexibilities for Producers in Northern Great Plains
On June 23, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue authorized emergency grazing of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres during the primary nesting season in North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana in the counties meeting D2 or greater, as indicated by the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Since that time the drought has continued to deepen and the forecast is for hot, dry weather in the upcoming week in the Northern Plains. As such, the Secretary is authorizing emergency grazing of CRP for any county in which any part of its border lies within 150 miles of a county approved for emergency grazing of CRP.
In addition, for any county in which any part of its border lies within 150 miles of any county approved for emergency grazing of CRP, USDA will allow CRP contract holders who hay their acreage according to their mid-management conservation plan to donate their hay to livestock producers.
For more information, view the full USDA news release online.
Livestock Industry Supports WGA
Dave Eliason, Utah rancher and president of the Public Lands Council (PLC), and Craig Uden, Nebraska cattle producer and president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), issued the following statements June 28 regarding the recommendations stemming from the Western Governors Association Species Conservation and Endangered Species Act Initiative:
“The process that has unfolded over the past few years is an example of what can be accomplished when we put our differences aside and come together to tackle complex problems,” said Eliason. “WGA, and Governor Mead in particular, deserve a lot of credit for their leadership on this issue. These recommendations were developed through engagement with diverse stakeholders and we urge Congress to use this as a roadmap to modernize the Endangered Species Act.”
“The Endangered Species Act impacts cattle producers across the United States,” said Uden. “We were pleased to have been involved in this process from the beginning and stand ready to remain engaged with the Western Governors Association and lawmakers moving forward.”
Accelerated Genetics Delegates Vote
to Join Forces with Select Sires Inc.
Accelerated Genetics and Select Sires Inc. June 22 announced they will be joining forces as a unified cooperative effective July 1, 2017. At a special delegate meeting June 22, 2017, Accelerated Genetics delegates voted in favor of uniting Select Sires Inc. and Accelerated Genetics, formally finalizing the agreement recommended by both cooperative’s boards of directors.
“Accelerated Genetics has been searching for a partner who could enhance the business and move it forward,” stated Scott Dahlk, Accelerated Genetics board chair. He continued by adding, “Joining forces with Select Sires is a positive move for both member-owners and producers worldwide.”
The official agreement states Select Sires will acquire all Accelerated Genetics assets, integrating employees and independent sales representatives in each of their geographic member organizations. The decision to merge coincides with an already collaborative business relationship between the two cooperatives that began in 2001, where each company shares ownership of World Wide Sires Ltd. World Wide Sires serves as the international marketing arm for both companies in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Oceania.
Read this Select Sires release online.
Livestock Manure and Weed Field Day is July 12
Weeds have come back this summer in full force and farmers are again learning the best ways to wage war with these green invaders.
Ohio State University Extension’s Mahoning County office is hosting a field day July 12 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. focusing on how to properly manage weeds and manure on farms.
Jeff Stachler, OSU Extension agriculture and natural resources educator, and Glen Arnold, OSU Extension educator and field specialist in manure nutrient management systems, will discuss how to best manage livestock nutrients and control invasive weeds, such as Palmer amaranth.
“Despite the best efforts of farmers and herbicide dealerships, weeds such as Palmer amaranth continue to be found in more locations across the state of Ohio,” said Arnold. “Palmer amaranth has arrived here through various pathways including through used equipment brought to Ohio from the South and through cottonseed used in cattle feed. One of the keys for farmers to control this weed is early detection.”
Learn more in the news release online.
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