News Update
Jan. 5, 2011

NCBA Accepting Applications for Public Policy Internship

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) government affairs office in Washington, D.C., is accepting applications for a public policy internship.

“One of the best ways to prepare to join the workforce after college is to gain real-world experience through internships,” NCBA Executive Director of Legislative Affairs Kristina Butts said. “We are looking for college students with an interest in the beef industry and in public policy to help NCBA represent U.S. cattlemen and women in Washington, D.C. The internship is designed to work closely with the lobbying team on Capitol Hill; to assist with NCBA’s regulatory efforts; and to work closely with the communications team.”

The full-time internship will begin May 23, 2011, and end Aug. 12, 2011. To apply, interested college juniors and seniors should submit the application, an official college transcript, two letters of recommendation and a résumé to internships@beef.org. More information about the NCBA public policy internship is available here.

“From food safety and trade to environmental issues and taxes, this internship will give college students the opportunity to work alongside NCBA staff on many critical issues affecting U.S. cattlemen and women.” Butts said. “If you or someone you know is interested in this opportunity, we encourage you to apply.”

— Release by NCBA.

USMEF 2011 Executive Committee Announced

U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Chairman Keith Miller, a farmer-stockman from Great Bend, Kan., has announced the organization’s 2011 executive committee.

USMEF’s membership and its executive committee are drawn from the nine industry segments that comprise the organization, which celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2011.

“USMEF represents the full spectrum of the U.S. agriculture industry and touches every aspect from the farm to the export of American red meat products,” said Miller. “I believe that this executive committee will provide outstanding representation to our industry over the coming year.”

Click here for the full Executive Committee listing.

— Release by USMEF.

Farmers and Ranchers Cow-Calf College Jan. 18 at USMARC near Clay Center

University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Extension’s annual Farmers and Ranchers Cow-Calf College “Partners in Progress – Beef Seminar” will be Jan. 18 at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) and Great Plains Veterinary Education Center near Clay Center.

Registration, coffee and donuts will start at 9 a.m. with the program starting at 9:50 a.m. and concluding at around 3:45 p.m.

Several speakers will discuss issues and management strategies that can affect the profitability of all beef producers. There is no cost for the event and it is open to the public. A noon meal is included, which makes early registration by Jan. 13 necessary.

John Pollak, USMARC director, will kick off the college, followed by the first speaker, Larry Berger, UNL animal science department head, who will give an “Overview on the Direction of UNL Animal Science” and his vision for the future of animal science.

Berger will be followed by Michael Kelsey, executive vice president of the Nebraska Cattlemen, who will speak on “Issues Facing Cattlemen in 2011.”

Willow Holoubek, director of Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska (A-FAN), will conclude the morning with “Standing Up for Animal Agriculture.”

Area cattlemen Ken and Zach Herz will offer information on “Construction of a Bedded Manure Pack Beef Barn.” The session will highlight a 200-foot (ft.) by 100-ft. barn that was built for confined beef management. It is one of the first in Nebraska. They will show what thought and research went into the planning and construction, and then will give an oral and pictorial presentation on the construction and facility use. The barn is located a mile east and a mile south of Lawrence, Neb.

The afternoon session will start at 1:30 p.m. with Rick Rasby, UNL Extension beef specialist and Angus Journal/Angus Beef Bulletin columnist, who will discuss “Feeding Ethanol Byproducts to Forage-Fed Cattle.” There will be copies of the new manual of the same name available for attendees. Darrell Mark, UNL Extension livestock marketing specialist, will explain “Marketing Plans for the Cow-Calf Operation.”

The college will conclude with all presenters offering final thoughts and considerations, followed by a coffee-shop-style panel discussion. Cattlemen can ask questions and get answers on topic questions that came to them during the day’s sessions. The discussion will be moderated by Berger.

Door prizes will be awarded to those who stay for the entire event.

Any beef producer or other interested individual should preregister by Jan. 13 at the UNL Extension office at 621 North Cedar, Red Cloud, NE 68930 or call 402-746-3417 to ensure a seat and lunch. Walk-ins are accepted, but may not get a lunch. You may also e-mail registration to Dewey Lienemann at dlienemann2@unl.edu.

For more information, visit the Webster County UNL Extension website.

— Release by UNL Extension.

NAMA/NAFB Coordinate Fall 2011 Conference Schedules

The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) announced that its annual high level event, Trends in Agriculture, will be in Kansas City immediately prior to the National Association of Farm Broadcasters (NAFB) Annual Conference. In addition, the two organizations will collaborate on a producer-focused session that will close the NAMA event and open the NAFB conference.

“As professional organizations, we share a commitment to helping our members better understand and respond to emerging market issues,” NAMA Executive Vice President/CEO Jenny Pickett said in making the announcement. “In addition, because ‘Trends’ focuses on a more strategic perspective, it tends to attract many of the same marketing executives who may be participating in NAFB’s Trade Talk the following day.”

The centerpiece event of the NAFB’s Annual Convention, Trade Talk, affords company and organization participants access to member broadcasters to discuss the issues and topics that are important to them.

“NAFB and NAMA have many people that are members of both organizations,” added NAFB Executive Director Mark Vail. “This type of planning allows the groups to maximize member opportunities while acknowledging the realities of business travel and meeting time and expense.”

For more information, contact Jenny Pickett, 913-491-6500, jennyp@nama.org or Mark Vail, 816-431-4032, mark@nafb.com.

— Release by NAMA and NAFB.

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