News Update
March 5, 2013
NPG Printing Co. Makes $25,000 Commitment to Angus Foundation
NPG Printing Co., a multi-faceted company located in Saint Joseph, Mo., that the Angus Foundation and American Angus Association does business with for several printing purposes, has generously committed an unrestricted $25,000 donation to the Angus Foundation to help support its education, youth and research programs. The company’s commitment includes a $5,000 cash donation to the Foundation for the next five years.
The Angus Foundation prints many materials with NPG Printing Co., such as newsletters, brochures and programs for events. Additionally, the company is also the source for printing breeder sale books and other marketing materials that serve Angus members in a variety of ways.
Milford Jenkins, Angus Foundation president, says on behalf of the Angus Foundation, he is very appreciative of David Bradley, chairman and CEO of NPG Printing Co., and all at the company for their work and commitment to support Angus members.
“It’s a pleasure for the Angus Foundation to receive this wonderful commitment from Mr. Bradley and NPG Printing Co.,” Jenkins says. “Our Angus breeders across the country are always humbled and appreciative when allied industry corporations involved in our business network financially invest and give something back to the Angus breed in a meaningful manner. We will always owe Mr. Bradley a debt of gratitude for his support.”
This commitment to the Angus Foundation is not the first from NPG Printing Co. In 2007, Bradley provided an unrestricted gift commitment of $25,000 to the Vision of Value: Campaign for Angus. This contribution helped the Angus Foundation raise in excess of $7.6 million in outright cash gifts, pledges and planned giving commitments in the campaign that concluded in 2011.
“We are pleased to be associated with the American Angus Association and its Foundation,” Bradley says. “Agri-business like Angus is the most important industry in our area, and we are committed to helping that business succeed."
2013 GrillMaster Experience BBQ Tour Kicks Off
The Beef Checkoff Program, in partnership with the American GrillMaster Experience, announced the kick-off of a nationwide grilling tour taking place at Sam’s Club® National BBQ Tour events. Using beef grilling demonstrations, product samples, recipes and other checkoff-funded resources, the American GrillMaster Experience educates and informs consumers about the value and benefits of cooking with beef and grilling techniques.
A total of 30 events covering 25 states are slated for the 2013 tour, which runs from March to November. Events will take place at Sam’s Club locations, as part of the Sam’s Club National BBQ Tour, which is the largest Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS)-sanctioned competition series. The Grill Master’s samples are sourced from premium-quality Sam’s Club beef, which has a 200% freshness guarantee.
“I had the opportunity to experience the 2012 Bentonville, Ark., event and was thoroughly impressed,” says Brett Morris, producer from Ninnekah, Okla., and vice-chair of the Beef Image Committee. “It truly is an event everyone should experience because of the professionalism the checkoff-sponsored Grill Master, Michael McDearman, puts into it. In addition, when going behind the scenes, I thought I had eaten good beef before until I sampled the competition food and there was not one bad entry to be tasted! What really connects consumers to the experience is that the competitors demonstrate the potential beef taste and tenderness it can achieve. It will knock their socks off.”
In 2010, Sam’s Club launched a pilot competitive barbecue program and became the first major retailer to sponsor KCBS, the largest and most respected barbecue sanctioning body in the world. From that pilot program, the Sam’s Club National BBQ Tour was born. During 2011, the inaugural tour became the largest competitive barbecue series in America, and in 2013, the extremely popular competition series will award a whopping $500,000 in prize money.
For more information and the full release, click here.
S.D. Stockgrowers, Cattlewomen
Offer $1,000 Beef Industry Scholarship
The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association (SDSA) and the South Dakota Cattlewomen are currently accepting applications for a $1,000 scholarship in memory of Guy E. Ham. The scholarship is available to any South Dakota student having completed at least one year of post-secondary education and pursuing a career in an agricultural or agri-business related field. This $1,000 scholarship is made possible by the generosity and gift of the Guy E. Ham Beef Industry Scholarship in memory of Guy Ham and his commitment to the future of the agriculture industry in South Dakota.
Application information and details can be found by visiting www.southdakotastockgrowers.org or by contacting the SDSA at 605-342-0429. Applications will be accepted until Aug. 1, 2013, and the scholarship will be awarded during the Stockgrowers Annual Convention Sept. 28, 2013. Donations to the Guy E. Ham Beef Industry Scholarship are gratefully accepted by the SDSA for the purpose of continuing this scholarship program. Please contact Silvia Christen for more information about contributing to this scholarship.
AgriLife Extension to Host Multi-County Predator Awareness Workshop in Hunt
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service offices in Kerr, Edwards and Real counties are partnering to present a predator awareness workshop from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. March 26 at the Kerr Wildlife Management Area, 2625 Farm-to-Market 1340, 12 miles northwest of Hunt.
Registration for the “Feral Hog and Predator Management Workshop” begins at 8:30 a.m.
“The day’s program will include retired trapper Charlie Baird,” said program coordinator Roy Walston, AgriLife Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources, Kerr County. “Charlie is a wealth of knowledge and will share his years of experience in trapping and interpret the ‘vocabulary’ of the coyote and mountain lion.”
Walston said another workshop presenter, Cameron Martin, will discuss the economics of hog trapping and some of the current feral hog research being conducted at the management area.
“Remote-trapping systems and hog-proof fencing and construction will be some items discussed,” he said.
Preregistration workshop fee is $25 and $30 for at-the-door registration.
The cost includes lunch, refreshments and all educational materials. Attendees should preregister by March 22 by contacting the AgriLife Extension office in Kerr County at 830-257-6568, Edwards County at 830-683-4310 or Real County at 830-232-6673.
For more information, click here.
University Joins with Kansas Dept. of Ag, Others to
Celebrate Kansas Agriculture Week March 12-19
From producers planting the seed, to elevators storing and distributing the grain, to processors turning that grain into food products — it’s all agriculture. There’s much more to it than that, though. Scientists are working to find the most efficient crops and livestock for the Kansas environment, economists are working to determine which crops and livestock provide the best economic returns, and extension specialists and agents are conveying that information to those interested in the research and the best ways to use it.
“As Kansas celebrates Kansas Agriculture Week March 12-19, we are honored to partner with individuals, companies, organizations and government agencies in Kansas and across the country and world to determine the best crops, livestock and agricultural management practices for Kansas farmers and other agribusinesses,” said John Floros, dean of the Kansas State University (K-State) College of Agriculture and director of K-State Research and Extension. “Our research and extension efforts have been part of Kansas agriculture for 150 years. We are proud to play a role in helping farmers and ranchers produce such an important part of the U.S. and global food supply.”
Kansas Agriculture Week will end with Kansas Agriculture Day March 19, with activities in Topeka, including “A Dialogue on Kansas Agriculture” and a reception in the capitol. As part of the celebration, the Kansas Department of Agriculture is partnering with Dillon’s food stores, Harvesters — The Community Food Network, the Kansas Food Bank, the Second Harvest Community Food Bank and the Kansas agricultural community to sponsor a food drive, “Neighbor to Neighbor,” which ends March 19. More information is available at Kansas Agriculture Day.
K-State’s Floros noted that the university is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. It became the nation’s first operational land-grant institution and Kansas’ first public university after its founding Feb. 16, 1863. More information on K-State’s sesquicentennial is available.
Conserve Water to Prepare for Possible Water Shortages
Ongoing effects from the drought may hit closer to home with possible water shortages this year across the state. Iowans can prepare by finding simple ways to conserve water in their own homes.
Kristi Cooper, family-life specialist with Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach, says there are many simple tips families can follow to reduce water use, especially in the bathroom where 60% to 75% of water use happens.
“Now is a good time to track how much water your family uses each week,” Cooper said. “Challenge your family to reduce water consumption 20% before summer.”
Cooper works with the ISU Eco Family blog to offer tips to families on how to live a greener lifestyle, including water conservation. She compiled a list of tips for families, which is available as a downloadable PDF. Tips to reduce water use include:
- Using less water when brushing teeth and showering
- Flushing the toilet less often, or displacing water in the tank so it uses less
- Fixing leaks and installing more efficient appliances
- Only running full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine
- Using rain barrels to collect water for gardens and plants
Cooper suggests families make a list of conservation tips for their own home and post it where all family members can see it and be reminded.
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