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News Update

March 26, 2013

Cattlemen’s Boot Camp Set for Clemson University

Cattle producers should mark their calendars for an educational opportunity slated for June 3-4 at the Poole Ag Center in Clemson, S.C. The Cattlemen’s Boot Camp is a 1½ day event hosted by Clemson University, the American Angus Association and the Angus Foundation, and is open to all seedstock and commercial cattle producers.

Grazing management, herd health, marketing, reproductive performance and bull buying strategies are a few of the topics that will be discussed by industry experts from Clemson University, the American Angus Association, Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB), the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the University of Georgia.

The $75 registration covers all meals and educational materials. Enrollment is limited, so register by May 20 to ensure a place in the Boot Camp. A hotel block is established for the Boot Camp attendees at the James F. Martin Inn. Call the hotel at 888-654-9020 and use Group Folio #10905 to receive the University rate.

For more information or to register, contact the American Angus Association at 816-383-5100 or go to www.angus.org. Cattlemen’s Boot Camps are just one of several educational events planned by the American Angus Association and funded by the Angus Foundation, which supports education, youth and research.


Catastrophic Wildfire Prevention Act Reintroduced in the House

The Public Lands Council (PLC), National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Arizona Cattle Growers’ Association (ACGA) expressed strong support for the Catastrophic Wildfire Prevention Act of 2013 (H.R. 1345), reintroduced with bipartisan support by Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.). This bill, familiar from the last session of Congress, facilitates an expedited process to reduce hazardous fuel loads on federal lands through livestock grazing and timber harvesting.

The bill proposes to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire on areas managed by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) identified as high-risk. It would streamline analyses performed under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in those areas, expediting fuels-reduction activities such as livestock grazing and timber thinning. When threatened or endangered species are at risk, it would also allow for hazardous fuels-reduction projects to go forward under existing emergency provisions of the Endangered Species Act.

Furthermore, it adds to last year’s legislation by including contract stewardship and good neighbor authority measures, which facilitate the completion of forest management projects through public-private partnerships and cooperation with state governments.

PLC President Brice Lee and NCBA President Scott George agreed that the bill addresses the significant issue of catastrophic wildfire in the West by reducing administrative delays, expediting forest management processes, and encouraging better forest health and economic development.

“Last year, more than 9 million acres were burned in one of the worst fire seasons this country has seen in the last few decades. In that scenario, everyone bears the burden of habitat loss — ranchers, western communities, wildlife and the taxpayer, to name a few,” Lee said. “We hope that Congress acts swiftly and moves forward with passing this legislation, so that ranchers and entire communities do not remain vulnerable during what may be another devastating fire season this year.”

George added that fires threaten both rural and urban communities and impair the watersheds the public depends on.

“The red tape beleaguering USFS and the BLM when addressing wildfires is endangering the lives and operations of livestock producers, threatening the natural resources the public depends on, and hindering economic growth,” said George. “This bill seeks to put an end to these issues and allow for better management of public lands.”

For more information and the full release, click here.

Secretary Vilsack Launches USDA ‘StrikeForce’ Initiative to Boost Rural Economic Growth and Opportunity

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the USDA will launch its “StrikeForce” initiative in 10 additional states, including South Carolina. The primary goal of the StrikeForce initiative is to increase partnership with rural communities and leverage community resources in targeted, persistent poverty areas. Vilsack noted that through the StrikeForce initiative, USDA will do more to partner with local and state governments and community organizations on projects that promote economic development and job creation.

“During my travels across the country, I’ve heard mayors and other community leaders say they have a hard time competing for USDA loan and grant programs. They have a plan to develop a new business or create jobs in their regions, but they lack development capital and they view our application and review processes as a barrier,” said Vilsack. “StrikeForce changes that. By increasing outreach and technical assistance to communities, we can serve as better partners and help better leverage resources.”

The “StrikeForce” initiative started as a pilot project in 2010 in selected regions in three states: Arkansas, Georgia and Mississippi. In 2011 it was expanded to include Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada. In 2013, Secretary Vilsack announced new efforts to bring the StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity to Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Virginia.

USDA identifies census tracts with more than 20% poverty (according to American Community Survey data) to identify sub-county pockets of poverty. As areas of persistent poverty are identified, USDA staff work with state, local and community officials to increase awareness of USDA programs and help build program participation. Vilsack noted that often USDA conducts special outreach activities in an area, and that since 2010, USDA has partnered with more than 400 local community-based organizations to promote local or regional development projects.

For more information and the full release, click here.


AFB Inc. Launches New Member Benefits Website

American Farm Bureau Inc. (AFB Inc.) has launched a new national member benefits website — FB Member Advantage! The new website provides eligible Farm Bureau members with a functional and user-friendly platform to learn about member benefits. FB Member Advantage! replaces the FB Country website.

“Member Advantage offers Farm Bureau members exclusive access to high quality brands, products and benefits,” said Ron Gaskill, executive director of AFB Inc. “Members will have VIP discounts on top-of-the-line vehicles and farm equipment at their fingertips, as well as access to cutting-edge services and business solutions.”

Gaskill added that the site is a one-stop shop for Farm Bureau members, saving them time and money.

FB Member Advantage! is also accessible through the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) website, www.fb.org, and members will automatically be redirected to the new site when attempting to visit the FB Country website.

FB Member Advantage! is the member benefits program of AFBF. FB Member Advantage! is owned and operated by AFBF’s member benefits affiliate, AFB Inc.

 

 
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