News Update
May 25, 2018
Angus Offices Closed for Memorial Day
The American Angus Association and Angus Media offices in St. Joseph, Mo., will be closed Monday, May 28, in honor of Memorial Day. Normal business hours will resume Tuesday, May 29.
Angus Convention in the Buckeye State
An exciting and bustling city located in the heart of Ohio will play host to the 2018 National Angus Convention and Trade Show this fall.
Whether visiting the many Angus breeders in the area or taking a short trip to visit the Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) brand headquarters — it’s a location that embodies the heart of the grain industry and the rich history of the world’s most recognizable branded-beef program. CAB’s 40th anniversary will be at the core of the celebration-themed event.
The Angus Convention is headed to the Buckeye State for the first time ever. It is a gathering place for all quality-minded cattle producers and friends from every sector of the cattle business and offers industry-leading education, networking and entertainment.
The first weekend in November, Angus breeders, commercial cattlemen and allied-industry partners will join together to learn and set a vision for the future, participate in the organization’s Annual Convention of Delegates, take in the bustling trade show and enjoy all the Angus history Ohio has to offer.
“We want to invite everyone to the 2018 Angus Convention in my home state of Ohio,” said American Angus Association Board Member John Grimes of Hillsboro, Ohio.
Continue reading this Angus news release online.
Brazilian Meat Plants Suspend Operations
Due to Truckers’ Strike
More than 100 meat production facilities in Brazil have partially or completely suspended activities as of Wednesday, May 23 due to a national truck drivers’ strike that is preventing circulation of goods and raw materials across the country, according to meat industry associations Associação Brasileira das Indústrias Exportadoras de Carnes (ABIEC) and Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA).
The national poultry and pork processors association, ABPA, and the entity representing the beef industry, ABIEC, said 129 plants have stopped production, and more than 90% of the total production of animal protein in Brazil could be suspended by Friday if the strike proceeds.
The truckers’ strike started on Monday as a protest against the fuel price policy of state-owned oil company Petrobras and taxes on diesel fuel.
About 25,000 tons of poultry and pork meat products, equivalent to $60 million in sales, couldn’t be exported this week due to the strike, according to ABPA.
The beef industry has been prevented from shipping 1,200 containers of meat per day, ABIEC said.
JBS S.A., Marfrig, BRF S.A., Aurora Alimentos and Frimesa confirmed suspension in some production units as of Wednesday night.
Read the full article at www.meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/79787.
Animal Health Contributes Billions to U.S. Economy
A comprehensive new study, “The Economic and Social Contributions of the Animal Health Industry,” documents the value and role that the companies that produce animal medicines play in the U.S. economy and beyond. The results are clear: In its work to improve the health of nearly 10 billion companion and food-producing animals, the animal health industry contributes significant economic and social benefits across America.
Fueled by $9.9 billion in sales of medicines, the U.S. animal health industry employs 21,257 workers, accounts for more than $1.2 billion in wages and $1.2 billion in taxes, and maintains a positive balance in trade.
Furthermore, animal health products directly contribute to the economic activity of other industries, including veterinary services, animal production, meat and dairy production, and pet services. Combined, these four industries generated $548 billion in output, created almost 1.4 million jobs and paid more than $52 billion in wages in 2016.
“With more than 67% of U.S. households owning pets, it’s undeniable that animals are fully integrated into our daily lives,” said Alexander Mathews, Animal Health Institute (AHI) president and CEO.
Read the full Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.
U.S. Beef Industry Sustainability Updates
The U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB) opened a 60-day public comment period beginning May 3 on the group’s Sustainability Framework.
The USRSB Sustainability Framework is a set of resources developed to assist ranchers, cattle auction markets, feedyards, packers, processors, and retail and foodservice organizations in their efforts to continuously improve the sustainability of U.S. beef.
“The framework was developed from the collective efforts of more than 200 individuals who make up the USRSB and represent all segments of the beef value chain from producers to retailers, including nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and academic institutions,” said Kim Stackhouse-Lawson, JBS USA sustainability director and 2018-2019 USRSB chair. “The USRSB membership has invested more than three years in developing these resources, which we believe will serve as an invaluable tool in enhancing U.S. beef sustainability and increasing economic opportunities in rural landscapes across America.”
The USRSB Framework highlights key areas important to the sustainability of beef and examines unique opportunities for each segment of the beef value chain to identify opportunities to improve and reflect on their individual progress. Most importantly, the framework is not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Keep reading this Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.
64th Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course
Aug. 6-8 in College Station
The 64th Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course Aug. 6-8 at Texas A&M University in College Station will highlight a cattle market outlook, as well as issues affecting beef producers.
The short course is the largest beef cattle educational event in the country and attracts more than 1,600 beef cattle producers from Texas and abroad, according to organizers. The short course is hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the department of animal science at Texas A&M.
“Several factors are impacting our cattle producers across Texas including dry conditions over many of the regions,” said Jason Cleere, coordinator and AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist in College Station. “We will have a weather outlook, plus a comprehensive cattle market outlook that producers can use to determine their marketing plans for the next year.”
An added component to the front of this year’s short course is the ranch horse workshop on Aug. 5 for beef short course registrants. Cost is $50 at the door for those not registered for the beef short course. The day-long program will feature AgriLife Extension experts and topics that include equine nutrition, hay and pasture management, and routine health maintenance.
For more information please view the full release online.
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