If Docility Is Important to You…
Producers typically place some emphasis on bull behavior as part of their selection criteria for breeding stock. Surveys of commercial cow-calf producers rank disposition in the same magnitude of importance as a trait such as calving ease in selecting bulls for use in their programs. During the past few years, Angus breeders have been submitting yearling cattle temperament scores on a 1-6 scale, providing the foundation for a docility expected progeny difference (EPD). Read more.
Bryce Schumann
Movin’ Forward
The difference a year makes
When we closed the books on fiscal year 2010 last month, few would have predicted the dramatic turnaround the Angus business experienced during that 12-month period.
A year ago at this time, the Association faced its first financial deficit in more than a generation. The economy showed little, if any, signs of recovery. The impacts of genetic defects caused financial hardship for many Angus breeders and played a role in decreasing registrations of Angus cattle, which had steadily risen since the mid-1980s.
Today, there is some good news to share with you — and I think it points to a brighter future for all of us.
According to year-end figures released by the American Angus Association, Angus registrations, bull sale averages, AngusSource® enrollments and Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) sales were among several sectors experiencing increases in fiscal year 2010. Read more.
Andy Rest
Association Perspective
Angus genetics remove the guesswork.
As I write this article in late September it has been a very interesting spring and summer. Much-needed moisture in the northern part of the country where I travel has provided good crops and lots of feed.
I have had the opportunity to attend a number of video auctions this summer and early fall, and prices have increased dramatically over those seen in 2009. While prices have increased, the reason buyers are willing to pay a premium has remained the same. Read more.
Animal-source Foods Combat
Poor Nutrition, Health, Economic Status
Animal-source foods are part of an integrated food-diversification strategy that is sustainable, empowering.
Food derived from animals is an important source of protein, energy, calcium and micronutrients — all of which can improve people's health, their economic status and the environment, according to experts at the Fourth Annual Iowa Hunger Summit hosted in conjunction with the World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogue Oct. 12. Read more.
Farmers, Ranchers Authorize New Alliance
More than 60 representatives from more than 20 national food and agricultural organizations agreed Oct. 12 to incorporate a U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) to focus on working together to enhance U.S. consumer trust in modern food production that ensures the abundance of affordable, safe food.
"Today represents a start toward a unified voice for U.S. agriculture," said Rick Tolman, CEO of the National Corn Growers Association and chair of the USFRA Steering Committee. "While the results of today's organizational meeting represent the culmination of six months of planning, it is only the beginning of a process designed to create a coordinated effort by and on behalf of U.S. farmers and ranchers. Several participants have stepped forward to officially join the Alliance. Others need to return to their boards to determine whether they will join."
USFRA plans to incorporate this week. Organizations have been asked to respond about affiliation no later than Nov. 1. After that date, a board of directors will be established and will elect an executive committee.
Members of the USFRA Board, its executive committee and its affiliated organizations will be announced formally in mid-November.
What’s Inside …
In this October edition of the Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, you'll find valuable articles devoted to the management, marketing, and health and nutrition of your beef enterprise. Select from the tabs at the top of the page to access this month's entire offering by category. A few select features include:
• Nelson Ryegrass Outyields Gulf
• 2010 CHAPS Benchmarks Are In
• Is Perception of Inactivated Vaccines Outdated?
• Cow Weight, Milk Affect Feed Costs
• Get a Handle on Feeder-Cattle Grades
• Beef Culinary Center Busy Creating New Recipes
News Briefs …
The American Angus Association and its subsidiaries generate a wealth of information to keep members and affiliates informed of what's happening within the industry as well as with the programs and services they offer. Click here for easy access to a summary of recent news and links to the newsrooms of the American Angus Association and Certified Angus Beef LLC and the Angus e-List archive.
Try a Little Praise
Struggling to get employees motivated in your business? Perhaps a little praise can help increase workplace morale. That's the suggestion of John Doherty, who has worked with a variety of employees during his career as a renowned New York City chef.
While a restaurant and a ranch may seem like vastly different places, Doherty says the principles that motivate people are still the same. Read more.
USDA Announces New
Operations
Center in Saint Louis
New office expected to create 100 full-time and 300 part-time jobs in St. Louis area.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Oct. 14 announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to open a centralized data collection and processing center near St. Louis, Mo., as part of the agency's efforts to streamline operations and better serve the statistical needs of agriculture and rural America. The new center is expected to bring approximately 100 full-time and 300 part-time jobs to the St. Louis area.
"USDA's investment in survey research is key in helping us understand emerging trends in agriculture and the farm sector, and in providing more efficient service to America's farmers, ranchers and rural communities," said Vilsack. "This new, centrally located facility will help standardize and streamline the survey operations conducted by USDA around the country, and help ensure that we collect the best and most useful data about agriculture."
The new NASS National Operations Center is expected to open in late 2011. It will be located at the Charles F. Prevedel Federal Building, the site of a former U.S. Army federal records center. U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is currently working on converting the center to a new resource-efficient and environmentally sound facility, which will hold LEED silver certification. The GSA plans to invest $35 million dollars into improvements over the next five years.
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