News Update 

September 14, 2010

Last chance for 2011 Directory Membership Listing 

Renew Your Membership today. The 2011 Kansas Angus Association (KAA) Membership Directory is in process. KAA members, Oct. 30, 2010, is the cut off and drop date to be included in the directory listing. 

Annual dues of $30 include your listing. A listing in the KAA Directory is a great way for you to have your contact and herd information at the fingertips of Angus breeders in Kansas and throughout the United States. Approximately 3,000 Directories are distributed through direct mailing, at sales and shows and at other Angus events throughout the year. 

Kansas Angus Association members have the option of paying dues online through PayPal™. Members that are renewing their membership and new members are encouraged to visit the KAA website  www.kansasangus.org and select “Renew My Membership” or “Join the KAA” complete the online membership application or renewal form and pay online. If you would like to check the status of your membership send an e-mail to kansasangus@wbsnet.org.

— Release by KAA.

NCBA Legislative Conference Begins with Beef Nutrition

Cattle producers from across the country are gathering in Washington, D.C., Sept. 14-16, for the 2010 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Legislative Conference. The event kicked off today with Beef 101, an educational program to showcase beef cookery and nutrition. Today’s session is part of a larger educational series focused on all aspects of the beef industry. NCBA Executive Director of Nutrition Research Shalene McNeill led the briefing by demonstrating the importance of beef’s nutrient package in today’s healthy diet.

“Today’s population is unfortunately overfed and undernourished. Calorie for calorie, beef is one of the most naturally nutrient-rich foods out there. A three ounce serving of lean beef is a top source of protein, zinc, iron and many other nutrients,” said McNeill. “Twenty-nine cuts of beef meet government guidelines for lean, with less than 10 grams of total fat, 4.5 grams or less of saturated fat and less than 95 milligrams of cholesterol per three ounce cooked serving. Each lean beef cut is a nutrient powerhouse.”

The event featured a cooking demonstration orchestrated by Dave Zino, NCBA executive chef, who prepared a Beef and Heirloom Tomato Salad with Balsamic Syrup. The recipe is packed with protein and contains less than 300 calories. He showed how beef pairs well with fruits and vegetables in salads, pastas and other one-dish meals. 

“The great thing about lean beef is you don’t have to sacrifice taste. No need to lean on fat for flavor,” said Zino, adding that many lean cuts are steakhouse favorites like the filet, T-bone and today’s strip streak.

The cooking demonstration was sponsored by Certified Angus Beef®, the first beef brand certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 1978. Certified Angus Beef is owned by rancher members of the American Angus Association.

— Release by NCBA.

ABS Global Training School to Teach the Latest and Best Methods of Inseminating Cattle Artificially 

ABS will be hosting an artificial insemination (AI) school Oct. 28-30 from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. The classroom location is still to be announced, and the cow practice practical portion will be at Oakhill Dairy, Leesburg, Ga.

The ABS AI Management Schools offer you the opportunity to learn AI techniques and herd management under skilled supervision.

The curriculum includes anatomy and physiology of reproduction, fertility, head detection, semen handling, and placement insemination and synchronization of heat for dairy and beef cows.

This is a comprehensive course with sufficient cow practice to assure competence. For the cow practice, please bring work clothing and boots.

Participation in the school is limited to 12 students, and is based on the first 12 checks received. 

Registration fees are $225.00 for students and $325.00 for adults, or if registration received at a reduced rate of $295.00 if before Oct. 15. Deposit of $100 is required and is non-refundable.

Please make checks payable to and mail registration form to 

Jack Diepersloot, PO Box 6, Oak Hill, FL 32759

Steve Valente; 1655 Trickum Rd., Rocky Face, GA 30740 (phone) 706-580-0237 

Local motels are located in Albany, Ga. For more information, contact Diepersloot by e-mail at jdiepersloot@netscape.com, or phone 352-804-2076.

— Release by ABS Global.

FSIS to host Public Health Information System (PHIS) Webinars

USDA Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS) will host a series of webinars to introduce a new FSIS comprehensive data system called the Public Health Information System (PHIS) as part of its effort to collect, consolidate, and analyze data. The presentations will be an overview of PHIS and cover three separate topics: what it means to owners/operators of domestic establishments, how it will affect export certifications, and requirements for import certification.

Each webinar topic is offered twice. To participate in these webinars, please review the schedule below and join directly using the links and call-in information provided:

Monday, Sept. 20, 2010 — Import (Rescheduled from Sept. 9)

Time: 1 p.m.-3 p.m. ET

Direct Link: www.mymeetings.con/nc/join/php?i=PW4172862&p=IMPORT&t=c

Audio Call-In: 1-888-989-9721

Passcode: IMPORT

Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010 — Domestic

Time: 1 p.m.-3 p.m. ET

Direct Link: www.mymeetings.com/nc/join.php?i=PW4172875&p=INDUSTRY&t=c

Audio Call-In: 1-800-369-1145

Passcode: INDUSTRY

Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010 — Import

Time: 1 p.m. 3 p.m. ET

Direct Link: www.mymeetings.com/nc/join.php?i=PW4172882&p=IMPORT&t=c

Audio Call-In: 1-800-988-9458

Passcode: IMPORT

Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010 — Export (Rescheduled from Sept. 9)

Time: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. ET

Direct Link: www.mymeetings.com/nc/join.php?i=PW4172841&p=EXPORT&t=c

Audio Call-In: 1-800-475-0512

Passcode: EXPORT

Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2010 — Domestic

Time: 1 p.m.-3 p.m. ET

Direct Link: www.mymeetings.com/nc/join.php?i=PW4172885&p=INDUSTRY&t=c

Audio Call-In: 1-800-988-9458

Passcode: INDUSTRY

Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010 — Export (Rescheduled from Sept. 16)

Time: 1 p.m.-3 p.m. ET

Direct Link: www.mymeetings.com/nc/join.php?i=PW4172867&p=EXPORT&t=c

Audio Call-In: 1-800-857-9700

Passcode: EXPORT

To register for these web seminars, go to www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Regulatory_Web_Seminars/index.asp. Information about the Public Health Information System, is now available on the FSIS website at  www.fsis.usda.gov/PHIS.

— Release by FSIS.

— Compiled by Mathew Elliott, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.