News Update
November 10, 2017
Angus Heritage Foundation
Inducts Four Industry Leaders
Over the past 130 years, Angus has established its reputation as the leader in the beef industry. That reputation was built by innovators, visionaries and wise decision making by the American Angus Association.
Each year, the Association celebrates those innovators and visionaries by selecting individuals for induction into the Angus Heritage Foundation. On Nov. 6 during the 2017 Angus Convention in Fort Worth, Texas, four Angus industry leaders were added to the prestigious group.
The 2017 inductees are Joe Elliott, Tennessee; Kelly Schaff, North Dakota; Clarence Van Dyke, Montana; and Cory Watt, posthumously, South Carolina.
Read more about these leaders in this Angus news release online.
USMEF Lauds USTR for a Definitive WTO Win
on Indonesia’s Beef Import Requirements
On Nov. 9 the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled in favor of the United States in a dispute with Indonesia over its complex and opaque import requirements for beef and beef products. The WTO report found that all 18 of Indonesia’s import measures challenged by the United States were inconsistent with WTO rules and obligations. Today’s ruling marks the end of the WTO dispute settlement process and is expected to open up significant new export opportunities for the U.S. beef industry in the Indonesian market.
U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) CEO Philip Seng said, “We are extremely pleased with the outcome of this case and wish to thank the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) for its effective presentation of the legal arguments against Indonesia’s import controls. The WTO ruling is confirmation of USTR’s decision to bring the case and supports the need for a strong and transparent dispute settlement system in the WTO.”
Seng said USMEF sees Indonesia as a very promising market for the future. It is the fourth most populous country in the world, but with per capita beef consumption of only 3.4 kilograms, Indonesia has almost unlimited potential to become one of the world’s largest beef-importing countries.
Learn more in the USMEF news release online.
Cattle Raisers Disappointed with
Oklahoma Beef Checkoff Outcome
Last week, beef producers had an opportunity to vote in an Oklahoma referendum to approve a $1 per head state beef checkoff assessment in addition to the current U.S. Beef Checkoff program. Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (DAFF) secretary Jim Reese announced the results of that referendum Nov. 9, with the measure failing 55.6% to 44.3%.
The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) is a strong supporter of the U.S. and Texas Beef Checkoff programs, and supported the Oklahoma measure. Had it been approved, the funds would have been used to market, promote and educate consumers about beef and beef producers. Oklahoma would have also joined 15 other states, including Texas, who have already adopted a state-level beef checkoff program.
“I am disappointed that the Oklahoma beef checkoff referendum was swayed by outside activists and did not succeed,” said TSCRA president Richard Thorpe. “Texas cattle raisers have seen an immense benefit from their state-level checkoff program, and I had hoped that same success would be extended to Oklahoma producers.”
View the full TSCRA news release online.
Oklahoma Ranchers Vote Down Oklahoma Beef Checkoff
On Nov. 9 Oklahoma farmers voted down an Oklahoma referendum for a state beef checkoff. In an announcement, the Oklahoma DAFF announced in a vote of 2,506 to 1,998 the Oklahoma Beef Checkoff Referendum had been defeated.
The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) and Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA) on behalf of their Oklahoma members had joined together to lead the opposition to the referendum calling out the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) for attempting to double the tax paid on every head of cattle sold.
Bill Bullard, CEO for R-CALF USA, stated, “We were proud to stand with our Oklahoma members to ensure justice was carried out during this election.” He concluded, “It is good to know that in America, if you stand up for what is right you can still win.”
In spite of the inherent conflict of interest, DAFF had granted the lead organization pushing for the passage of the Oklahoma Beef Checkoff increase, OCA, the exclusive right to administer the election process and vote.
Oklahoma farmer and OCM board member Paul Muegge added, “With my years of experience fighting corporate agriculture, I knew we had to stand up to OCA. They are nothing more than the modern-day cattle barons trying to ride roughshod over family farmers and ranchers and using our government to do so.”
For more information, read the R-CALF news release online.
Panhandle Farm and Ranch Management Symposium
set for Nov. 28
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will offer two sessions during this year’s Panhandle Farm and Ranch Management Symposium at the Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show.
The program is set for Nov. 28 in the Grand Plaza of the Amarillo Civic Center, 401 S. Buchanan St. in Amarillo. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. for the morning session and 1:30 p.m. for the afternoon session.
“This year we are running all day Tuesday, and we’re dividing the program in two,” said Danny Nusser, AgriLife Extension regional program leader in Amarillo. “We know not every producer needs to or can stay for the entire program, so we want to make sure we are offering them what they may need in a timely format.”
Six Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education credits, three in the morning — two integrated pest management and one laws and regulations — and three in the afternoon — two general and one drift minimization — will be offered. Morning program CEU certificates will be given at 12:30 p.m. and those for the afternoon program will be handed out at 4:30 p.m.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events.
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