News Update
August 1, 2017
Angus Convention Giving Away
Two Incredible Grand Prizes
Attendees at the 2017 Angus Convention will have the chance to win one of two terrific grand prizes: a complete cattle handling system from Priefert and Tru-Test and a customized Angus Cat 289 compact track loader from Caterpillar.
“These grand prizes would be a terrific addition to any Angus breeder’s operation,” says Becky Weishaar, Creative Media director with Angus Media. “This year’s grand prize sponsors — Priefert, Tru-Test and Caterpillar — have all outdone themselves, and we are so thankful for their generosity.”
Priefert and Tru-Test have generously donated a complete cattle handling system designed for 35 head. The corral features a solid sweep with a straight working alley that’s adjustable to one of four widths, leading to a Priefert Model S04 squeeze chute.
To complete the system, Tru-Test has added the Tru-Test XR5000 Indicator, HD1010 load bars, scale mounting brackets and XRS2 eID stick reader. In addition, Tru-Test has provided a brand new WaterWell automatic waterer that can accommodate up to 100 head.
Caterpillar has donated a custom Cat 289D compact track loader that’s tailored with black paint and Angus detailing.
Continue reading this Angus news release online.
Groups Say Monsanto-Bayer Merger
Puts Competition, Farmers and Consumers at Risk
On July 26 the American Antitrust Institute (AAI), Food & Water Watch (FWW) and National Farmers Union (NFU) sent a joint letter to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on the proposed merger between agricultural input giants Bayer AG and Monsanto Co. The three groups offered their in-depth analysis of how the proposed deal would likely harm competition, farmers and consumers. The letter notes that the merger would complete a sweeping restructuring of the ag biotechnology industry, creating the “Big 3” companies, where just two years ago, there were six major rivals.
AAI President Diana Moss explained, “The merger substantially eliminates competition across a number of important markets. It could squeeze out smaller rivals and saddle farmers and consumers with higher prices, reduced choice and less innovation.”
Given the merger’s potential adverse effects, the letter encourages the DOJ to be skeptical of any claims that the companies need to be bigger to innovate or that planned cuts to fundamental research will benefit farmers and consumers.
The AAI-FWW-NFU analysis evaluates the effect of the merger on three major markets.
For more information, please view the NFU news release online.
The Meat Industry Hall of Fame Announces the Class of 2017
The Meat Industry Hall of Fame is proud to announce the members of the class of 2017. The class was selected from a lengthy list of distinguished nominees. A record number of votes were cast by current members of the Hall of Fame and the organization’s board of trustees.
Members of the incoming class are Jeffrey Ettinger, CEO (retired), Hormel Foods; A. Dewey Bond (deceased), senior vice president, American Meat Institute; Donnie Smith, president and CEO (retired), Tyson Foods; John Jacobson (deceased), chairman of the board of directors and CEO, National Beef Packing Co.; Clarence Knebel (deceased), owner, Knebel’s Processing Plant; Ralph Stayer, chairman of the board (retired), Johnsonville Sausage; and Ed Woods, owner and president, Woods Smoked Meats.
To be qualified for nomination to the Hall of Fame, candidates must have contributed significant innovation, achieved notable business success or otherwise positively impacted their organization, institution or larger industry segment. In addition, those nominees chosen for induction must have undertaken noteworthy community service or philanthropy during their careers and upon retirement.
View the full news release online.
Novus Takes Steps to Advance Sustainable
Animal Agriculture Initiatives
Novus Int’l Inc. released its annual sustainability report, highlighting improvements made toward its sustainable business goals during the last year. The report marks 2016 as a year where several large projects were launched, goals to reduce emissions were achieved and manufacturing processes were streamlined.
Novus, as a leading global animal nutrition and health solutions company, openly communicates its commitment to sustainability annually as a core value of its business. Novus’s teams widen the typical definition of sustainability to include all actions to move the animal agriculture industry into the future, with the report’s intention to be a transparent look at the actions Novus takes to uphold that commitment.
“We don’t just talk about minimizing pollution or reducing waste, we create real, actionable plans to make significant changes in our business for decades to come,” said Francois Fraudeau, Novus president and CEO.
In the report, Novus outlines its 2016 priorities as “optimizing production, cultivating sustainable people and advocating for the industry.” Information about programs to help customers transition to business in an increasingly antibiotic-free marketplace, develop agri-business skills in the next generation and make strategic logistical changes to significantly reduce emissions can be found in the report as sustainability initiatives.
For more information, read the full news release online.
Group Making Final Preparations for 18th Annual Convention
National cattle trade association R-CALF USA is making final preparations for its upcoming 18th Annual Convention to be hosted Aug. 25-26 at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel in Rapid City, S.D. Keynoting the convention will be Rapid City native and now conservative political commentator Tomi Lahren, who has supported the interests of America’s independent ranchers on her vast social media platform with 4.4 million followers.
“We think the wind is finally at the backs of American ranchers and this year’s convention will be pivotal,” said Tatum Lee, R-CALF USA’s development director and organizer of this year’s convention.
Lee said her group’s members are the backbone of the cattle industry, “They are men and women responsible for the day-to-day operational decisions on their ranches and they will help us identify the specific changes needed to make our American cattle and sheep industries great again.”
The group is expecting hundreds of ranchers from 20 or more states to attend its convention.
“This year’s outstanding speaker lineup is attracting the highest level of preregistrations that we’ve seen in many years, and our trade show is shaping up to be the biggest ever,” said Lee.
For more information, visit the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events.
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