News Update
May 21, 2013
American Agri-Women Meet in Washington, D.C.
Leaders of American Agri-Women (AAW) from throughout the country will gather in Washington, D.C., the week of June 2-5 for the organization’s annual Washington, D.C. Fly-in. The 20th Annual Symposium hosted by AAW will be at the National Press Club, Monday, June 3 from 8:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. This year the panel will discuss “Immigration Reform — Health Care Reform: The Agriculture Connection.”
During the week, the group will meet with officials at the USDA and other agencies, and with members of Congress. AAW will also host their annual Congressional Reception Tuesday, June 4, in the House Agriculture Committee Room from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Key issues the group will be working on include: agriculture labor, immigration reform and Department of Labor regulations; the Endangered Species Act, new and threatening proposed listings and funding; and the Farm Bill, including research funding and crop insurance.
“It is our mission — and our duty — to represent and protect those who produce food, feed, fiber and fuel for the world,” says Karen Yost of Billings, Mont., AAW president. “Our meetings are also an important way we educate legislators and policy-makers.”.
Angus Foundation Receives $28,500 Donation from Partnership with Intrust Bank
The Angus Foundation and Intrust Bank’s project in 2012, called “The Card Challenge,” generated in total a $28,500 donation from Intrust Bank to the Angus Foundation. From the first phase of this challenge, which took place Jan. 1-June 30, Intrust Bank made a $20,000 donation to the Foundation. The challenge was opened up for a second phase Oct. 1 – Dec. 31, and this led to another donation to the Foundation for $8,500.
In “The Card Challenge,” for every new and activated Angus Platinum Visa® booked, Intrust Bank committed to making a $100 donation to the Angus Foundation. Intrust Bank agreed that if 500 new and activated accounts are reached, it would donate an additional $25,000 to the Angus Foundation, which made the total potential donation $75,000 for Angus education, youth and research programs.
Although the 500 new and activated cards was not achieved, a total of 284 cards were opened and activated, and Intrust Bank graciously rounded the number up to make an even $28,500 donation. This contribution will help the Angus Foundation continue to provide support for the future of the Angus breed.
“Our hats are off to Intrust Bank and the Angus breeders and friends who supported the Angus Foundation through the Angus credit card challenge drives offered by Intrust Bank,” says Milford Jenkins, Angus Foundation president. “Because of these efforts, $28,500 in unrestricted new funds was donated to us by Intrust Bank for education, youth and research programs to advance the Angus breed.”
Although “The Card Challenge” has concluded, those interested in the card can still go online to www.angusfoundation.org at any time and click “Angus Credit Card Application” to find out more information and how to apply.
Nominate delegates now
Only a few weeks remain to nominate delegates to represent each state or district at the 2013 American Angus Association Convention of Delegates set for Monday, Nov. 18, in Louisville, Ky.
Each active Association member should have received a nomination form in the mail and may nominate one member from his or her state or district. All eligible nominations will be included on a ballot that will be mailed to members in July for the final selection of delegates.
Signed nominations must be received in the Association office no later than June 30 to be included on the final ballot. Remember, if your membership has expired or will expire in May or June, renew now. Only current members can be placed on the ballot.
For more details on how to nominate a delegate and select the delegates to represent your state at the Annual Convention of Delegates, refer to “Soon Accepting Nominations” in the March 2011 Angus Journal and “Will Your Ballot Count?” in the July 2011 Angus Journal. Both articles can be found via a back issue search here. Details of the entire election process can be found in the Association’s Breeder’s Reference Guide, which is available online here.
It’s important to nominate a person who is willing to attend the Annual Meeting and who is informed about the Angus business. The event takes place during the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE).
Federation of State Beef Councils to Salute 50th Anniversary
A major milestone in grassroots beef promotion will be recognized Thursday, Aug. 8, as the Federation of State Beef Councils celebrates its 50th anniversary. The day-long celebration will be held as part of the 2013 Cattle Industry Summer Conference in Denver, Colo., Aug. 7-10.
The Federation of State Beef Councils is a division of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). Prior to a 1996 merger between the National Cattlemen’s Association and National Live Stock and Meat Board, the Federation was housed at the Beef Industry Council (BIC) of the Meat Board. The BIC was created by the Meat Board in 1963 to give particular focus to the promotion of beef in the consumer marketplace.
“We’re proud that the Federation has played a critical role in assuring grassroots involvement in beef promotion since 1963,” according to Richard Gebhart, a beef producer from Rogers County, Okla., and current Federation chairman. “We look forward to the next 50 years of checkoff support through producer leadership, investment and involvement.”
John Huston, a former BIC and Federation executive and Meat Board president from 1980 to 1996, will speak at the General Session I and lunch of the summer conference Aug. 8, and also at the Federation Forum that afternoon. In addition, he will visit with former colleagues at other events.
The Federation was identified in the 1985 Beef Promotion Act and Order and is an important component of the current Beef Checkoff Program. It elects 10 members who serve, along with 10 members chosen by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, on the 20-member Beef Promotion Operating Committee, which determines what projects the $1-per-head national Beef Checkoff will fund, and at what amounts, subject to approval from the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and the USDA. The Federation also manages checkoff-funded programs through the state/national partnership.
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