News Update
July 31, 2017
Angus Foundation Silent Auction
Raises More Than $12,500
The Angus Foundation raised more than $12,500 on 125 items during the annual silent auction during the 2017 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) July 9-15 in Des Moines, Iowa. Proceeds from these items help fund support for Angus education, youth and research initiatives.
“The silent auction always brings out the best in Angus enthusiasts,” says Milford Jenkins, Angus Foundation president. “All of the donated items auctioned off during the event are very special in some way or another, and proceeds from the silent auction are unrestricted in their use, so the Angus Foundation can put those funds toward the education, youth and research efforts that need the most support.”
Tim and Elizabeth Harsh, Radnor, Ohio, purchased the top-selling item for $550, which was a custom graphite portrait donated by the Wisconsin Junior Angus Association.
The second-highest selling honor, at $500, went to a Kansas State University football autographed by head coach Bill Snyder donated by the Kansas Junior Angus Association, purchased by Hite du Boize Cattle Co., Valley Center, Kan.
Continue reading this Angus news release online.
Tax Reform Crucial for America’s Farmers, Ranchers
Congressional leaders and administration officials have released a statement on tax reform that addresses many issues of importance to America’s farm and ranch families.
“America’s farmers and ranchers are encouraged to see that key congressional leaders and the administration understand how important tax reform is to all Americans,” said Zippy Duvall, president, American Farm Bureau Federation. “Fixing our tax system now is crucial to creating economic opportunities for farmers, ranchers and other family-owned businesses. This is especially important as farmers continue to face down tough economic challenges.
“This move sets the stage for Congress to put tax reform on its agenda. Not only will reform strengthen our economy, but by addressing key issues like overall tax rates, capital gains taxes and enhanced expensing, it will be good for farms and other businesses,” he continued. “Our farmers and ranchers face numerous challenges, and it is important to recognize this creates special circumstances in regard to taxes. We look forward to working with Congress to move tax reform forward and do it in a way that benefits farm and ranch families and all Americans.”
Japan’s Frozen Beef Safeguard Triggered
in First Quarter of Japanese Fiscal Year
On July 27 the Japanese government released its June import figures for frozen beef. From this data it now is clear that imports during the first quarter (April 1-June 30) of Japan’s fiscal year, from the United States and other countries covered under Japan’s “safeguard” mechanism, were large enough (by a margin of just 113 metric tons) to trigger an increase in the duty charged on imports of frozen beef from these countries. The rate will increase from 38.5% to 50.0 % for the remainder of the current fiscal year (through March 31, 2018).
“USMEF recognizes that the safeguard will not only have negative implications for U.S. beef producers, but will also have a significant impact on the Japanese foodservice industry,” explained U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Philip Seng. “It will be especially difficult for the gyudon beef bowl restaurants that rely heavily on Choice U.S. short plate as a primary ingredient. This sector endured a tremendous setback when U.S. beef was absent from the Japanese market due to BSE and was finally enjoying robust growth due to greater availability of U.S. beef and strong consumer demand.”
Learn more in the full USMEF news release online.
USCA Submits Written Testimony for Hearing on NAFTA
On July 26, the United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) submitted official written testimony for the House Committee on Agriculture’s public hearing on Renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA): Opportunities for Agriculture. The testimony outlines USCA’s priorities for a modernized NAFTA, and echoes the verbal testimony provided by USCA President Kenny Graner on this same topic to the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) earlier this month. USCA’s focus for any NAFTA renegotiations remain on addressing subsidy disparities for Canadian and Mexican cattle producers, establishing a WTO-compliant country-of-origin labeling program for beef products and adjusting the growing trade deficit.
“USCA looks forward to working with the administration and Congress to address the issues raised by U.S. cattle producers in future NAFTA renegotiations,” said USCA President Kenny Graner. “Based on the priorities outlined by USTR (U.S. Trade Representative) earlier this month, the needs of cattle producers are still not being met. Any renegotiation of NAFTA must include a path forward on origin labeling. The current trade disparities between the U.S., Canada and Mexico won’t change unless all factors affecting the situation are addressed.”
Read more of this USCA news release online.
College Aggies Online Program Returns this Fall
The Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2017 College Aggies Online (CAO) scholarship program will kick off Sept. 10. The program, now in its ninth year, connects college students from across the country who have a passion for agriculture and allows them to become confident, positive and proactive communicators. Both individuals and student organizations can participate in the weekly assignments and challenges that prepare students to become life-long advocates for agriculture.
Since the program’s launch in 2009, more than 5,500 college students have completed the program. In 2016, 344 students participated along with 35 clubs, and together they reached 1,500 people with 2.3 million online impressions, 1,800 social media posts and participating clubs together hosted 56 activities on campus.
In the individual division, weekly assignments range from writing a blog post, creating an infographic or watching a webinar hosted by an industry professional. Participants create weekly social media posts about agriculture on multiple platforms bridging the communication gap between farm and fork. In the club division, students will choose from a list of challenges to complete that will engage those on their campus or in their communities about agriculture.
Find more information in the full news release online.
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