News Update
December 15, 2017
Give the Gift of Education,
Youth and Research
In this gift-giving time of year, give a gift that keeps on giving throughout the year through the Angus Foundation. Charitable gifts to the Angus Foundation always are appreciated, regardless of the time of year; however, often, charitable giving decisions are made at year-end once an individual or couple knows their income tax situation for that respective calendar (tax) year. The charitable gifts fund educational opportunities for cattle producers, undergraduate and graduate scholarships, and significant research projects to benefit the Angus breed for generations.
Pay special attention to timing when it comes to year-end gifts as 501(c)(3) charities such as the Angus Foundation, in accordance with Internal Revenue Service guidelines, will recognize the U.S. Postal Service’s postmark denoted on the outside of the carrier envelope used by the donor in transmitting the gift to the charity. In order to qualify for tax savings on your 2017 tax return, your gift must be completed by Dec. 31. For cash gifts, this means your gift must be personally delivered or mailed to the Angus Foundation in an envelope postmarked no later than Dec. 31.
Continue reading this Angus news release online.
USDA Highlights $40 Million
in Infrastructure Investments in Rural Communities
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue Dec. 14 highlighted USDA investments in Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 that will help construct or improve infrastructure and boost economic growth in rural communities.
“USDA is focused on improving rural America’s infrastructure,” Perdue said. “Investments such as the ones I’m highlighting today will improve the quality of life, create jobs, grow our economy and foster prosperity in rural areas.”
In FY 2017, USDA used funding from the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program to invest more than $40 million in 31 projects to repair, enhance or build infrastructure. These investments were for projects such as surface transportation, aviation, ports, water and storm water resources, energy production and generation, and electricity transmission. They will benefit nearly 265,000 residents.
For more information, read the USDA news release online.
Cull Cattle Report Card
Cattle producers are doing a better job ensuring the well-being and end product quality of cows and bulls brought to market than they were a decade ago. Those are the findings in the market cow and bull data collected as part of the 2016 National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA).
The audit information, which was made public in September 2017, was collected from 18 commercial cow and bull harvest facilities in 10 states, including California, Texas, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Parameters evaluated included transportation, mobility, muscle scores, hide damage, bruising and carcass quality.
Prior to the 2016 audit, the last data collected relative to market cows and bulls was in 2007. During that 10-year span, the recent audit revealed that the industry has made significant improvements in several areas, including animal welfare and handling, hide damage, injection-site location and bruises.
Researchers involved with the market cow and bull data collection and analysis were from eight universities and included Keith Belk, Colorado State University; Deb VanOverbeke, Oklahoma State University; McKensie Harris, Texas A&M University graduate student; and Jeff Savell, Texas A&M University.
Read the full Angus Journal article online.
Missouri Department of Agriculture
to Host Mobile Office in Southeast Missouri
Representatives from the Missouri Department of Agriculture will set up a mobile office from 1-4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18, at the Miner Convention Center, 2610 E. Malone Ave, Sikeston, Mo., 63801.
Doors will open at 12 noon and interested participants can sign in to meet with Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn, Deputy Director Garrett Hawkins and other Department staff.
The mobile office is a way for the Department to gather input from Missourians on what the office is doing well, and what can be done to better serve their needs. Through several initiatives, the Department continues to reach out to the people it serves and speak face-to-face with its stakeholders.
For more information about the Missouri Department of Agriculture and its programs, visit the department online at agriculture.mo.gov.
USDA Red Meat Production Forecasts for 2018
According to the latest USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates Report (WASDE) beef production for 2017 is now forecast at 26.372 billion pounds (lb.), 95 million lb. less than the November projection but still about 1.1 billion lb. (+4.3%) higher than in 2016. Interestingly, the current projection for 2017 is pretty close to what was forecast back in May. Even as the 2017 beef production forecast has been revised lower in the second half of 2017, USDA has actually steadily increased its projections for 2018 production. This is likely a function of expectations for more cattle expected to be available next year and a trend increase in carcass weights. Cattle weights have been notably under year ago for much of this year and this has limited the supply of beef coming to market. USDA now forecasts beef production in 2018 to be 27.657 billion lb., a 1.3 billion lb. increase (+4.9%) higher compared to 2017.
Back in May, USDA was projecting 2018 beef output to increase 2.3% year over year.
Read the full Daily Livestock Report online at www.dailylivestockreport.com.
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