News Update

April 17, 2018

Donate to the Angus Foundation
Silent Auction

The Angus Foundation is once again hosting its annual silent auction during the 2017 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) in Des Moines, Iowa. As always, the proceeds benefit education, youth and research initiatives supporting the Angus breed.

Items donated to the Angus Foundation for the silent auction may come from individual Angus supporters, farms, companies, or state junior and adult Angus associations. Junior state Angus associations have an extra incentive to donate items: The state junior Angus Association that donates the highest selling item will receive $100. Donation ideas include paintings, gift baskets, books, cattle supplies, jewelry, clothing and Angus collectibles.

At the 2016 NJAS in Grand Island, Neb., the silent auction raised nearly $13,000. These funds support scholarships and events including the Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) Conference, Cattlemen’s Boot Camps, Beef Leaders Institute (BLI) and research projects to benefit the Angus breed.

Continue reading this Angus news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Sarah Hill for Angus Media.

Participate in Census Data Collection

NCBA encourages producers to complete USDA’s 2017 Census of Agriculture. Conducted every five years, the census collects detailed data on land use and ownership, production practices, expenditures and other factors that affect the way farmers do business.

This information is used by everyone who provides services to farmers and rural communities — including federal, state and local governments, agribusinesses and many others. The survey will be mailed out at the end of this year and farmers and ranchers are encouraged to participate.

“The Census of Agriculture remains the only source of uniform, comprehensive and impartial agriculture data for every county in the nation,” said National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Administrator Hubert Hamer. “As such, census results are relied upon heavily by those who serve farmers and rural communities, including federal, state and local governments, agribusinesses, trade associations, extension educators, researchers, and farmers and ranchers themselves.”

For more information read the news release online.

— Adapted from a release by the National Beef Cattle Association.

K-State Hosts Midwest Invitational Meat Judging Contest

Approximately 118 4-H and FFA members from seven states participated in the Midwest Invitational Meat Judging Contest in Manhattan April 9. The event was hosted by the Kansas State University (K-State) Department of Animal Sciences and Industry and K-State Research and Extension.

“The contest offered a great opportunity to have students gain additional ‘cooler-time’ to compete and gain experience before their respective state contests,” said Travis O’Quinn, assistant professor and meat extension specialist. “We were excited to offer the event and host the large number of students on the K-State campus for this valuable learning opportunity.”

The top 4-H and FFA teams were from Tuttle, Okla. Reginald Lane of Wise County was the top 4-H individual and Elizabeth Bailey of Tuttle among the FFA members. The 4-H division included 30 identification, six classes and three sets of reasons. The FFA contest included six classes, 30 retail identification, two sets of questions, and six carcasses for yield and quality grading.

Learn more by reading the K-State news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Angie Stump Denton, K-State Research and Extension.

Workshop to Help Understand ABCs of USDA

University of Missouri (MU) Extension invites beginning farmers and ranchers to attend a free workshop about resources offered by state and federal agencies.

“Understanding the Alphabet Soup of USDA Programs” will be hosted from 9 a.m.-noon May 10 at the Phelps County Courthouse multipurpose room, 200 N. Main St. in Rolla, said Patricia Barrett, MU Extension specialist. A second session designed for veterans will be hosted from 12:30-4 p.m.

Gregg Barrows, executive director of the Phelps County Farm Service Agency office, reviews resources offered to farmers and ranchers at FSA. Melinda Barch and Brad McCord of the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service will explain funding options through NRCS.

During the afternoon session, speakers will explain the planning and operational orders process needed to apply for state and federal resources available to veterans. Missouri AgrAbility Project state director Karen Funkenbusch and representatives from Vocational Rehabilitation Services and other agencies will give AgrAbility case studies.

Dual Agency Rangeland Conference

Texas A&M AgriLife and the U.S. Forest Service will conduct a conference called Strategic Supplementation Strategies to Enhance Texas Rangelands and Reduce Livestock Production Costs on May 12 in Kerrville.

“We have an excellent group of speakers lined up to help participants think outside the box,” said Travis Whitney, Texas A&M AgriLife Research range nutritionist at San Angelo and conference coordinator. “The speakers have been tasked with discussing livestock supplementation strategies that can synergistically enhance Texas rangelands and reduce livestock production costs. We are confident the day will be well worth your time.”

Preregistration is required and due by May 5. Individual registration is $15 and covers the noon buffet. For more information and to preregister, go to http://sanangelo.tamu.edu/sss-conf.

— Adapted from a release by Steve Byrns, Texas A&M Communications.

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