News Update

News Update
March 21, 2007

Association Offers Free Electronic Storage of Registration Certificates

Beginning April 1, American Angus Association members can choose the electronic storage feature free of charge to store the paper registration certificates of existing registered Angus cattle. Since early 2004, Association members and affiliates have been afforded the option to electronically store their animals’ registration certificates. The procedure allows more flexibility when transferring papers and will eliminate the typical “paper shuffle” experienced by some cattle breeders.

“Electronic storage gives producers the option to electronically transfer papers, with no mail time or postage cost,” says Bryce Schumann, director of member services for the Association. “Our Board voted to eliminate the processing fee to storing the papers electronically, and we hope the members take advantage of the convenience of electronic storage.”

Breeders have the convenience of accessing herd information 24 hours a day, seven days a week at AAA Login, available at www.angus.org. Producers can receive a paper registration certificate, at no charge, when removed from electronic storage. Any member who participates in Angus shows will still need to provide original registration papers at check-in.

— Release provided by the American Angus Association.

Beef Growth to Slow in 2007, ERS Says

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Economic Research Service (ERS) has released a report indicating a slowdown in growth of U.S. beef exports in 2007.

The report cited a projected decline in exports to Mexico and a lagging Japanese market as cause for the projections. According to Meatingplace.com, USDA Economist Monte Vandeveer said South Korea’s rejection of U.S. beef remains an issue.

Beef Board Hires New CEO

The Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) has hired Tom Ramey as its new chief executive officer (CEO), the organization announced yesterday.

Ramey, CBB’s current Chief Financial Officer (CFO), will begin his responsibilities May 1. According to CBB, Ramey will take the reins from current CEO Monte Reese, who retires April 30 after 17 years with the organization.

“We talked about undertaking a search for a new CEO, but after extensive discussion, we determined that we had just what we needed right on the existing Beef Board staff,” said CBB Vice Chairman Dave Bateman, who chairs the board’s executive committee. “We talked a lot about the types of competencies that we need in a new chief executive officer to keep leading the Beef Board and our staff in the right direction during the coming years, and we agreed that Mr. Ramey had the right combination of the administrative abilities, communications skills, integrity and character that we need.”

Ramey has served as CBB’s CFO for about 13 years, where he has been responsible for all accounting and financial functions of the organization.

Reese, who announced his plans to retire early this year, said he is very pleased with the Executive Committee’s selection.

— compiled by Crystal Albers, associate editor, Angus Productions Inc.