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Angus Journal

News Update

August 3, 2017

Taking Action in Animal Agriculture

The Animal Agriculture Alliance recently hosted its 16th annual Stakeholders Summit May 3-4 in Kansas City, Mo. The nonprofit, Arlington, Va.-based organization focuses its efforts on helping bridge the communication gap between farm and fork, says president and CEO Kay Johnson Smith.

“Our goal really is to connect, engage and protect animal agriculture,” Johnson Smith says. The event’s top priority is to bring together stakeholders across all segments of animal agriculture to discuss hot topics and challenges facing the industry.

“We want to hear directly from [consumers], so that we know better how to interact with them,” she says.

This year, the Alliance is asking participants to take what Johnson Smith calls “action pledges.”

“We don’t want to bring people together to just talk, we want to generate ideas and give examples of how they can take action in their local communities,” she says.

To do that, she’s asking attendees to take to social media, adding that the No. 1 place consumers get their information is from Facebook.

Continue reading this Angus Journal article online.

The Department is gathering information on programs and donations to help those affected. Visit www.agr.mt.gov/Fire-Drought-Assistance-2017 for more information.

The Montana Department of Agriculture’s mission is to protect producers and consumers, and to enhance and develop agriculture and allied industries. For more information on the Montana Department of Agriculture, visit agr.mt.gov.

— Adapted from a release by Andy Fjeseth, Montana Department of Agriculture.

Beef Prices Decline as Supplies Increase

The beef cattle market has slowed recently due to increased production and decreased demand following a tremendous spring rally, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.

David Anderson, AgriLife Extension livestock economist, College Station, said domestic and export demand had been high but that fed-cattle prices had fallen over the last couple of weeks, as domestic demand slowed during the “dog days of summer.”

“Fed-cattle prices were at $1.17 per pound (lb.), down from over $1.30 per lb. a month ago,” he said. “We’ve gotten past the springtime holiday boom that typically occurs between Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. There’s no special occasion right now, and the hot temperatures have people thinking twice about being outside next to a grill.”

Anderson said many grocers featured beef specials through May, June and July to draw consumers. Earlier-than-usual orders from grocers for slaughtered beef led to a price rally as supplies tightened.

“Now supplies are growing and demand is lower,” he said. “Cattle weights are climbing, and there are an increased number of cattle on feed.”

For more information, view the AgriLife news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Adam Russell, Texas AgriLife Communications.

Kansas Livestock Foundation Distributes
$2.7 Million To Ranchers Affected By Wildfire

The Kansas Livestock Foundation (KLF) has distributed $2,751,233 in wildfire relief funds to 165 Kansas ranchers. A special committee, including representatives from the Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) and KLF, reviewed applications and determined how the funds were allocated.

Applicants for the funds lost about 4,500 head of livestock and nearly 2,000 miles of fence to wildfires back in March. Livestock and fence losses reported by those applying totaled more than $20 million. The applicants had 365,000 acres burned by the fires, the worst in state history.

KLF leaders extend a special thanks to those who donated to the wildfire relief fund. Nearly 3,900 generous contributors from 48 states, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands and Canada gave to the cause. In Kansas, donations were received from 102 counties.

“The Kansas Livestock Foundation, which is the charitable arm of KLA, was proud to play a part in connecting many kind, giving people from across the country with Kansas ranchers in need of support,” said KLF Chairman Jaret Moyer, a cattleman from Emporia.

Read the full KLA news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Scarlett Hagins, Kansas Livestock Association.

Black Diamond Angus Ranch to Host
KLA/K-State Ranch Field Day

The historic Black Diamond Angus Ranch, also known as Warner Angus Ranch, will host the first 2017 Kansas Livestock Association (KLA)/Kansas State University (K-State) Ranch Management Field Day Aug. 17 near Spearville. The ranch dates back to 1884 when Willis B. Warner moved to the Sawlog Creek Valley near the Ford-Hodgeman county line. Warner started a purebred Angus herd in 1893 and son John began a registered Morgan horse breeding program in 1949.

Today, the ranch is operated by Willis Warner’s great-granddaughter, Marcella Warner Holman, and her husband, John Holman. The Angus herd is the base of their commercial cow-calf operation and registered Morgan horses continue to be bred and used on the ranch.

Marcella Warner Holman will join K-State Extension Reproductive Physiologist Sandy Johnson on the field day program to discuss the impact of high-protein forages on fertility. Johnson has been collecting conception data and breeding success rates on Black Diamond heifers grazing triticale during the breeding season. The two will share results from the first year of the research project.

For more information, visit the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events.

— Adapted from a release by Scarlett Hagins, Kansas Livestock Association.

— Compiled by Paige Nelson, field editor, Angus Media.

 
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