News Update
December 2, 2016
New Angus Event Headlines
Denver Activities
Denver’s historic Stadium Arena, the heart of the National Western Stock Show (NWSS), was built in 1909 to celebrate the growth and viability of the West’s ranching industry.
Today, its brick walls, steel columns and distinctive green chairs still bear witness to dozens of cattle shows each year, and the old building remains a symbol of the forward-leaning optimism of ranchers. On Jan. 11, 2017, a new evening event will grace the Stadium Arena to not only celebrate the heritage of ranching, but also the unprecedented, century-plus expansion of Angus into the West.
Sponsored by Merial, the event will feature a bull sale, a fundraising auction and live entertainment. It’s also open to any cattle producer interested in attending with additional support from Neogen GeneSeek Operations.
“We’re excited to host this event in Denver, and we want all ranchers to know they’re welcome to attend,” says Allen Moczygemba, American Angus Association CEO. “Our goal is to renew our commitment to the National Western Stock Show and to reinvigorate the interest of commercial producers and others in Angus events in Denver.”
For more information, please view the full Angus news release online.
USDA Proposes Revisions to
Nutritional Fact Panel for Meat and Poultry Products
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Dec. 1 proposed a critical step in ensuring that consumers have updated nutritional information for meat and poultry products, helping Americans make better informed decisions when purchasing meat and poultry products.
FSIS is proposing to amend the nutrition labeling regulations for meat and poultry products to parallel the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) final nutrition regulations, which were published on May 27, 2016. The proposed rule, FSIS says, will improve the presentation of nutrition information to assist consumers in maintaining healthy dietary practices.
“This new rule will provide more transparency on nutrition labels so that American consumers can make informed decisions about the foods they eat and feed their families,” said Alfred Almanza, Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety at USDA. “The new nutrition facts panel will complement the many other proactive, prevention-based food policies that we’ve put in place in recent years.”
For more information, including specific revisions, please view the full USDA news release online.
BLM Releases ‘Flawed’ Planning Rule in the
Closing Days of Presidents Term
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Dec. 1 released a final version of BLM planning 2.0. Ethan Lane, executive director of the Public Lands Council (PLC) and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) federal lands said this process radically alters federal land management planning and moves the agency away from its mandate to manage for multiple use on federal lands.
“We are continuing to review how much, if any, our input has been incorporated into the final plan, but regardless, we object to the Administration moving forward in the final days of the President’s term with this hastily released regulation — particularly with one that will have such dramatic economic impact on western states,” said Lane.
Of the final rule, chairman-elect of the Congressional Western Caucus, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar (R-Ariz.) said the following:
“Once again, the Obama Administration believes that Washington knows best and continues to defy the principles of federalism, subjugating Americans to another erroneous rule and more government red tape that strips away the authority and expertise of local land managers.”
For more information, please view the full PLC news release online.
NCBA Showcases Cattle Operation’s Conservation Practices
The NCBA and the Catoctin and Frederick Soil Conservation Districts hosted an event Dec. 1 to highlight the successful conservation efforts by farmers and ranchers that have led to the improvement of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Scott Yager, NCBA’s environmental counsel, said voluntary conservation efforts have proven successful at Hedgeapple Farm, an Angus operation located in Frederick, Md.
“We know the one-size-fits-all approach to conservation doesn’t work, and when given the incentive and flexibility to find the conservation practices that work for their operation, farmers and ranchers will always do what’s best to steward the land,” said Yager. “For Hedgeapple Farm, they have developed a business model that is economically and environmentally sustainable, optimizing the use of on-farm resources such as pasture, hay and water.”
At the event, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Jason Weller praised the agriculture industry for playing a large part in improving water quality in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
“The agriculture sector has been a leading contributor for improving water quality in the bay, responsible for 50% of the reduction in phosphorus and 75% of the reduction in sediment runoff since 2009,” said Weller.
For more information, please view the full NCBA news release online.
Deeb joins Sexing Technologies’ R&D Team
Livestock reproductive services innovator Sexing Technologies has bolstered its research program by hiring genetics expert Joseph Deeb as director of genomics research.
In his new position, Deeb will help grow the company’s research and development team, expand ST’s genomics research program and facilitate implementation of R&D advances into the company’s commercial operations. He will also focus on utilizing genetics, genomics, bioinformatics and statistical tools to continue to improve the accuracy of estimated genomic breeding values and explore new technologies and their applications across beef, dairy and porcine animals.
Deeb received his undergraduate degree in animal science from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He earned his master’s degree and doctorate in quantitative genetics from The Hebrew University as well, before completing his post-doctoral work in molecular genetics at Iowa State University.
Prior to joining ST, Deeb was genomics research manager at Genus plc for 14 years.
Deeb will be based at ST’s corporate headquarters in Navasota, Texas.
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