The 2012 National Angus Conference & Tour is planned for Oct. 3-5.
American Angus Association members and supporters have a chance to "Come Home to Kansas" during the 2012 National Angus Conference & Tour (NAC&T). Scheduled for Oct. 3-5, the event will headquarter out of Wichita, Kan., and includes trips to both the Flint Hills and the western region of the state.
"This year's NAC&T is full of informative speakers, inventive cattle operations, and, most of all, beautiful Kansas scenery," says Bryce Schumann, the Association's CEO. The event is hosted by both the American Angus Association and the Kansas Angus Association, along with sponsorship support by Land O' Lakes Purina Feed LLC.
Read more.
Improving Transparency for Animal Agriculture
All industry stakeholders have a role to play.
The reputation of the beef industry is at risk. Michael Martin, Cargill's director of media relations, cites this spring's "blistering attack" on lean, finely textured beef (LFTB) and the media's maligning of the product as "pink slime" as ample evidence. Addressing the International Symposium on Beef Cattle Welfare, in Saskatoon, SK, June 5-7, Martin called reputation management more important than ever to protecting the industry.
All industry stakeholders have roles to play as public relations people, he said.
"Our reputation is important because it influences people's perceptions. Our reputation is under attack," stated Martin, "and I firmly believe the best defense is a good offense."
Martin recounted his company's participation in an episode of Oprah Winfrey's television show that aired a video tour of a Cargill slaughter facility. Also appearing on the February 2011 program were foodie-author and beef industry critic Michael Pollan and vegan-spiritualist Kathy Freston. A well-prepared Cargill representative, Nicole Johnson-Hoffman, countered their comments with sound bytes focused on transparency, food safety and animal care. Read more.
I Am Angus Featured Segment
Frank Mitloehner and the Benefits of Modern Livestock Production
This I Am Angus segment features Frank Mitloehner, an air-quality researcher from the University of California-Davis who challenged findings in the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's 2006 report "Livestock's Long Shadow." The report claimed livestock production is the leading cause of global greenhouse gas emissions; Mitloehner's research proved the U.N. was wrong.
Editor's Note: This segment was provided courtesy of the American Angus Association. Visit www.angus.org for more information.
Association Perspective
Deriving genomic value
In this video highlight captured after a breakfast meeting featuring Pfizer's HD50K platform, Sally Northcutt, director of genetic research at American Angus Association and Angus Genetics Inc., explains why genomics are so important, how they can increase profitability and what tools are available for seedstock and commercial cattlemen.
Editor's Note: This video news is provided by Angus Productions Inc. as part of its meeting coverage of the event. For additional coverage of the 2012 Beef Improvement Federation Symposium, visit the Newsroom at www.BIFconference.com.
EPA Proposes Dust Standard
NCBA seeks permanent assurance.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed its long-awaited dust standard that sparked controversy within the agricultural community on June 15. The controversy arose when EPA staff announced the administrator would be "justified" in doubling the stringency of the current, so-called dust standard, officially known as the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for coarse particulate matter.
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) welcomed news from EPA that it plans to retain the current standard; however,the issue involving farm dust is far from over, according to NCBA Deputy Environmental Counsel Ashley McDonald. Read more.
What’s Inside …
In this June 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:
- Improvements in the Welfare of Feedlot Cattle
- Grazing Management Critical During Drought
- Selecting Replacements
- Protect Calves from a Summertime Struggle
- Summer Water
- Consequences of Ruminal Acidosis
- Know Your Cattle, Grid Conditions
PLC, NCBA Hail House Passage
of Grazing Improvement Act
Encourage Senate to move forward on companion bill.
On June 19, 2012, legislation to improve stability and efficiency in the federal lands grazing permit process was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives as part of an omnibus package of lands bills. The bipartisan, 232 to 188, vote signals the strong, broad-based support for the Grazing Improvement Act (H.R. 4234), introduced by Congressman Raúl Labrador (R-Idaho). This legislation, should the Senate choose to pass it, would provide certainty for today's public lands ranching industry and for future generations of ranchers, according to Public Lands Council (PLC) President John Falen. Read more.
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 the newsrooms of the American Angus Association and Certified Angus Beef LLC and the Angus e-List archive.
Beat the Heat
ASSE offers safety tips to prevent heat-related work illness.
As temperatures rise, so does the chance of those working in areas susceptible to high heat conditions of becoming ill. To prevent heat-related work injuries and illnesses, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) suggests employers and employees take safety precautions now and be aware of factors that can lead to heat stress; the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke; ways to prevent heat stress; and, what can be done for heat-related illnesses.
Each year, thousands of outdoor workers experience heat illness, which often manifests as heat exhaustion. If not quickly addressed, heat exhaustion can become heat stroke, which can be deadly, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Read more.
Most Common Cancer in U.S.
Is One of the Most Preventable
Organizations highlight sun safety tips.
As summer arrives, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has joined the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Park Service (NPS) to emphasize the dangers of skin cancer and provide simple steps Americans can take to protect themselves.
"Skin cancer prevention and sun safety are important issues for EPA — our primary mission is to protect people's health and the environment," said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. "While the agency has made steady progress protecting the Earth's ozone layer, the SunWise program and Don't Fry Day help teach children and families simple steps to stay safe in the sun and protect themselves from harmful UV rays." Read more.
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