News Update
May 14, 2018
Beef Talk
Spring calving time is the most intense time in cattle operations. It also is the time to “grade” managerial success.
In school, we knew very well where we stood. If not, the pending parent-teacher conference refreshed one’s memory. An “A” was good; a “B” was noticed; and a “C” meant average. A “D” or an “F” had consequences.
So how is our agricultural management report card? This means some assignments and grades.
In the cattle world, calving time is an easy time to gauge if the year’s management effort was successful. The test is fairly simple once the numbers are written down. These are not complicated numbers.
Let’s focus on the number of mature pregnant cows in the calving pen. I am going to assume open cows are not in the calving pen. First-calf heifers often are exposed to bulls early and generally are handled differently, so we will not count them, either.
First, let’s set the grading curve. For our purpose today, I will utilize the 20-year average values for the traits of interest from data processed through the Cow Herd Appraisal Performance Software (CHAPS) through the North Dakota Beef Cattle Improvement Association in cooperation with the North Dakota State University Extension Service.
Continue reading this Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.
BIF Annual Meeting and Research Symposium
Early Registration Due May 31
Save $80 and register by May 31 for the 2018 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Annual Meeting and Research Symposium. This year’s event, themed 50th Anniversary in the Rockies, will be June 20 to June 23 at the Embassy Suites Convention Center Hotel in Loveland, Colo.
Online registration is available at www.beefimprovement.org. Walk-in registration will be available during the event, but register online by May 31 to save $80.
This year’s BIF symposium features two and a half days of educational programming and a full day of tours. The first morning’s general session — “Positioning for the Future of Beef Production” — will feature Mark McCully, Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) vice president; Sara Place, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) senior director of sustainable beef production research; Dorian Garrick, Massey University professor and chief scientist; and John Pollak, Cornell University emeritus professor.
The second day’s general session, “Decision Time: Who will own our industry?” will include presentations by Wade Small, Agri Beef Inc. livestock division president; Marty Ropp, Allied Genetic Resources; Matt Cleveland, Genus ABS global beef product development director; Dan Moser, Angus Genetics Inc. president; Wade Shafer, American Simmental Association executive vice president; Larry Benyshek, Benyshek and Hough Consulting Services; and John Genho, Livestock Genetic Services LLC.
For more information, read the KSU news release online.
TAHC Accepting Public Comment for
Bovine Trichomoniasis Entry Requirements for Bulls
The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) hosted a regularly scheduled and historic 400th Commission meeting at the Texas State Capitol April 17, 2018.
The following rules were proposed during the meeting and are open for public comment:
Chapter 51, Entry Requirements
The proposed amendment will modify the bovine trichomoniasis interstate entry requirements by providing an exception to the certificate of veterinary inspection and permit requirements for bulls that are 12 months of age or older and move on an owner-shipper statement from a premises directly to a federally approved livestock market that isolates the bull from female cattle at all times.
Chapter 59, General Practices and Procedures
The proposed rule is put forward in accordance to the Texas Government Code §656.048, which requires state agencies to adopt rules providing sound guidelines for employees and administrators to follow for training and educational reimbursement requests and ensures the TAHC maintains fiscal accountability and transparency.
TAHC encourages and appreciates all comments. The deadline for comment submissions on the proposed amendments is June 10, 2018.
Learn more in the TAHC news release online.
Secretary Perdue Announces FSIS Key Leadership
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue May 11 announced the appointment of Carmen Rottenberg and Paul Kiecker to key leadership positions within the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Rottenberg has been named the administrator of FSIS and Kiecker the deputy administrator.
“Providing all Americans access to a safe and secure food supply is one of USDA’s critical missions,” said Perdue. “Carmen and Paul have been instrumental in carrying out this mission and will continue to lead FSIS in their new roles.”
Rottenberg most recently served as deputy administrator for FSIS, and since August 2017, as acting deputy under secretary for USDA’s Office of Food Safety. She has held several leadership roles in FSIS’s Office of the Administrator, including the chief operating officer and chief of staff. In these roles, she has spearheaded FSIS efforts to modernize inspection systems and implement science-based and innovative solutions to better protect consumers from foodborne illnesses. Through her leadership, she has ensured that FSIS programs are customer-focused and delivered efficiently, effectively and with integrity. Rottenberg holds a bachelor’s degree from Hope College and a juris doctorate from American University.
For more information, view this USDA news release online.
Federation of State Beef Councils Helps Promote Beef to International Audience at World Meat Congress May 31
Already an international hit, beef will be in the global spotlight May 31 when the Federation of State Beef Councils helps sponsor a special dinner and appetizers for participants of the 22nd World Meat Congress (WMC) in Dallas, Texas.
The WMC is hosted biennially and allows international experts in the beef, pork, lamb and veal industries to discuss issues affecting livestock and meat production around the globe. This year the event is being hosted by the International Meat Secretariat and the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). It is the first time the WMC has been hosted in the United States in more than 20 years.
Chef Laura Hagen of the NCBA, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff Program, helped design the menu to showcase beef to buyers from around the world. Among the beef items on the menu for the event’s USMEF Beef Team Seminar and Dinner will be a tender pepper rubbed strip steak, as well as a top sirloin caprese skewer and grilled salsa flank steak appetizer. All of the beef items to be served can be found on the beef industry’s “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” website, www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com, which is managed by NCBA as a beef checkoff contractor.
Read this NCBA news release online.
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