News Update
March 4, 2014
Incorporating Genomics
Accuracy and reliability are becoming required tools of the trade for many in agriculture. On a diversified farm in central Illinois, T.J. Curtin has seen that reality in all areas of production — from growing corn and soybeans to raising registered-Angus bulls.
Curtin likens the cattle industry’s use of DNA technology to other agricultural advancements, such as the use of seed varieties in row-crop operations.
“In Illinois, corn is king,” Curtin says. “Seed-corn companies today offer us much more information on each variety, and that improves accuracy. Buying a bull is similar to buying a bag of seed corn, and if I can offer higher accuracy using genomic technology, then I am willing to do that.”
The Curtin family has been raising Angus cattle near Blue Mound, Ill., for nearly 80 years. Now in its fourth generation, Curtin Land and Cattle is home to 200-plus head of registered-Angus cattle, an expansive row-crop operation and a family trucking business. The Curtins sell about 40 registered bulls each year during the annual production sale.
“As farmers we take risks all the time, but when we can lessen that risk, that is of great value,” Curtin says. “Commercial producers put a lot of trust in us as breeders, and if I can offer them higher accuracy for what cattle are going to do, then I should do that.”
Curtin attended a sale three years ago where the breeder had DNA tested all the cattle in the sale offering. As he studied the information, he realized the value that additional data brought to buyers making decisions on what animals to purchase.
For more information, please view the full release here.
Beginning Farmer Institute Application Period Extended
National Farmers Union (NFU) has extended the application deadline for its 2014 Beginning Farmers Institute (BFI) program to April 7, due to additional sponsorships that will allow for more participants.
The annual program, now accepting its fourth class of students, is open to individuals who are new to farming, are in the process of transferring an operation from a relative or non-relative to themselves, or are contemplating a career in farming or ranching.
“The Beginning Farmers Institute underscores NFU’s commitment to growing a new generation of family agriculture,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “One unique feature of the institute is that participants direct the agenda, allowing them to gain information on topics that will be most relevant to their particular operations. The size and diversity of the group also ensures valuable interaction and learning opportunities among the participants.”
The BFI program helps students gain insight and practical skills needed by beginning farmers and ranchers, including business plan writing, financial planning, and researching available programs to help start up and sustain a successful operation.
Applicants accepted into the 2014 program will attend three separate education sessions. One session will be in Washington, D.C., one in Minneapolis, Minn., and a final session culminating at NFU’s convention in March 2015 in Wichita, Kan. Program topics at the education sessions will include business planning, USDA programs, tax and recordkeeping, estate transfer and marketing.
Interested applicants can download the 2014 application on the NFU website, as well as visit NFU’s education Facebook page or updates and further information on NFU’s youth and young adult education programs. Applications must be postmarked on or before April 7.
For more information, please view the full release here.
Chapkin and Savell Honored as University
Distinguished Professors at Texas A&M University
Robert Chapkin and Jeffrey Savell, both faculty members in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University in College Station, were recently named university distinguished professors.
The title, which is bestowed in perpetuity, is one of the highest honors given to Texas A&M University System faculty.
Chapkin is a professor in the college’s nutrition and food science department, and Savell is a professor in its animal science department.
Chapkin is a regents professor and university faculty fellow in the program in integrative nutrition and complex diseases of the Department of Nutrition and Food Science, as well as a Texas A&M AgriLife senior faculty fellow. He is deputy director of the Genomics and Bioinformatics Facility Core, Center for Translational Environmental Health Research at Texas A&M. In addition to being on the toxicology faculty, he is affiliated with the departments of biochemistry and biophysics, and veterinary medicine and biomedical sciences, as well as the department of microbial pathogenesis and immunology at the Texas A&M Health Science Center.
Savell is a Regents Professor and E.M. “Manny” Rosenthal Chairholder in the department of animal science at Texas A&M and holder of the Cintron University Professorship in Undergraduate Teaching Excellence.
Savell has been recognized by The American Meat Science Association at the national and international levels, having received the Distinguished Research Award, Distinguished Teaching Award and Signal Service/American Meat Science Association Fellow Award, which are presented to preeminent scientists, educators and professionals in the meat science discipline. He has also received the highest award given by the American Meat Science Association, which is given for “extraordinary and lasting contributions to the meat and livestock Industry.”
For more information, please view the full release here.
Knowing the Basics About Credit
Recent news of data breaches involving Target and Neiman Marcus credit cardholders serves as a reminder that a little time spent learning about your credit — including monitoring it and knowing what others see and how they use it — can mean money saved and less stress in the long run.
There are benefits to building credit, to be sure, but your responsibility does not end when you fill out the application and get the card or loan, according to Kansas State University’s (K-State’s) Valeria Edwards, who said it’s important for anyone who uses credit to pay on time and monitor their own credit reports for accuracy.
“When managed successfully, a home mortgage, student loan or credit card account can mean benefits such as home ownership or a college education,” said Edwards, a family and consumer sciences agent with K-State Research and Extension. “Poor decisions when it comes to managing credit can mean higher costs and lost opportunities.”
Edwards wrote “Know Your Credit,” a free, four-page fact sheet available online.
“Many times people don’t understand the difference between their credit reports and their credit scores. They think they need their credit score, but what they really need is to get their credit report,” Edwards said. “It’s important to review it and make sure it’s accurate. If it’s accurate and they’re paying their bills on time, they don’t really need their credit score — it will take care of itself.”
A credit report is an explanation of your credit history, she said, including when and where you applied for credit, from whom you borrowed money, and to whom you still owe money. It also shows if you’ve paid a debt in full and if you make monthly payments on time.
For more information, please view the full release here.
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