News Update
October 9, 2013
Make Plans for the 2013 Annual Convention in Louisville, Ky.
American Angus Association members and Angus enthusiasts will gather in Louisville, Ky., Nov. 16-19, for the 130th Annual Convention of Delegates and related Angus activities in conjunction with the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE).
“We are looking forward to celebrating the Association’s 130th year with our members,” says Robin Ruff, Association director of activities, events and education. “This year’s event in Louisville is sure to be an educational and exciting time in our breed’s history.”
Activities include the Annual Meeting of Delegates, educational sessions, social events and a 2013 Super-Point Roll of Victory (ROV) Angus Show.
The Angus shows will all begin at 8 a.m. in the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center (KFEC) Freedom Hall. The junior heifer show will take place Sunday, Nov. 17; the ROV bulls will show Monday, Nov. 18; and all ROV females, including cow-calf pairs, will show Nov. 19. Steven Reimer, Chamberlain, S.D., will judge the Super-Point ROV Show, and Jake Scott, Gordon, Neb., will serve as the junior heifer show judge.
All Angus supporters who have contributed $250 this fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2012-Sept. 30, 2013) to the Angus Foundation will be invited to attend a special Supporter Recognition Event Saturday evening, Nov. 16, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Louisville. Donate today to ensure a spot for this exclusive event.
For more information, please view the full release here.
American Farm Bureau Appeals Chesapeake Bay Ruling
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) took action Oct.7 to appeal a recent court decision that upheld the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “pollution diet” for the 64,000-square-mile Chesapeake Bay watershed. AFBF filed a notice to appeal the Sept. 13 federal district court ruling, seeking reversal of a decision that gives EPA wide latitude to dictate local land-use and development decisions.
“This is a wrongly decided case that has dangerous implications for farmers and many others in the Chesapeake Bay area and nationwide,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “This case isn’t about whether or not to protect the Chesapeake Bay — we all share that goal. This case is about whether EPA can dictate where farming will be allowed, where homes can be built, and where businesses can be established. By taking over decisions like that, EPA has turned the whole concept of cooperative federalism out the barn door.”
AFBF seeks an appeal to preserve the primary role of states in setting land-use policy and determining how to achieve water-quality goals. According to AFBF, the Clean Water Act puts states in the drivers’ seat to determine how farmers, builders, homeowners and towns will share the responsibility of achieving clean water. EPA’s framework puts EPA in control of those decisions.
“Win or lose on appeal, farmers and ranchers will continue their dedicated efforts on the farm to improve water quality and the natural environment,” said Stallman. “In the meantime, AFBF will continue to oppose what we see as a remarkable power grab.”
Grass Farmers To Hear About Managing
for Profits at Annual Meeting Nov. 4-5
Livestock farmers depend on good grass to make cheaper gains, which affect profits. Those topics will be featured at the Missouri Forage and Grassland Council (MFGC) meeting, Nov. 4-5, Lake Ozark, Mo.
Grass farmers will hear about new toxin-free fescue grasses and proper use of managed grazing, says Craig Roberts, University of Missouri (MU) Extension forage specialist. Other talks include grazing economics and marketing pasture-finished beef.
The first day’s program includes an economic outlook for beef by Scott Brown, MU livestock economist. With cow numbers at lowest levels since 1952, some farmers are rebuilding their herds. That will require more and better pastures, organizers believe.
Conference sign-in starts at 10 a.m., Monday, Nov. 4, at Port Arrowhead on the Highway 54 business loop south of Bagnell Dam.
Keynote speaker will be Burke Teichert of Carrus Land Systems. He will tell five essentials of profitable ranch management. He has managed ranches for more than 30 years.
Missouri producers Darrell Franson, Lawrence County, and David Hall, Howell County, will tell why, and why not, to renovate pastures with novel-endophyte fescue.
Franson represents MFGC on a new fescue alliance giving education and management tips on fescue.
The opening program on the second day will be on pasture-finished beef. Chris Boeckmann of Osage County and Meera Scarrow of Greene County will share production and marketing experiences.
Byron Wiegand, meat scientist at the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, will follow with “Beef Value Cuts.”
Jim Russell, professor of animal science, Iowa State University, will tell of mob grazing as a tool for grassland management.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal’s Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
South Texas Soil Testing Campaign To Run Through February
Growers in the Lower Rio Grande Valley can save money while helping the environment by taking advantage of a free soil testing campaign, according to Ashley Gregory, a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service assistant for water programs in Weslaco.
“Agricultural producers from Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy counties are encouraged to submit soil samples for a free analysis to help them determine the amount of nutrients in their soils,” Gregory said.
Proper nutrient amounts and placement help in the reduction of nonpoint source pollution into the Arroyo Colorado and the Lower Laguna Madre, both important waterways in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, she said.
“By knowing how much fertilizer is already in the soil, many growers have been able to cut down on the fertilizer they apply. That can amount to a huge cost savings, especially with rising fertilizer prices,” she said.
The soil testing campaign began Oct. 1 and will continue through Feb. 28. It is made possible by funding from a Clean Water Act grant provided by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is administered through the Texas Water Resources Institute and the Arroyo Colorado Watershed Partnership.
The partnership consists of 700 people, representing federal, state and private organizations working to improve watershed health, integrate management and seek out watershed project funding.
For more information, please view the full release here.
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