Transportation Training Available
BQA launches new transportation training and certification program.
The checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program has launched a new training and certification program for cattle transportation. The program, known as Beef Quality Assurance Transportation (BQAT), provides cattle producers and haulers with comprehensive training based on their roles in the cattle industry. Online training will be made available beginning immediately, and in-person training opportunities will begin soon.
“The BQA Transportation training and certification program has been a long time coming,” said Chase DeCoite, director of Beef Quality Assurance for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the beef checkoff. “By educating cattle haulers and producers on the best practices in cattle transportation, BQA is helping make improvements in cattle care and beef quality. Participating in BQA Transportation will be an indicator that the beef and dairy industries are committed to responsible animal care during transportation and makes both the BQA and dairy FARM animal care programs more complete.” Read more.
Chris Jeffcoat
Association Perspective
Evaluate your pastures.
Fall is here, and whether you’re calving, breeding, or just waiting for that spring calving season to start, now is a great time to evaluate your pastures or hayfields and make plans for next year.
As you’re retaining heifers, expanding your cow herd and making an investment in Angus bulls, it’s also time to consider the quality of your pastures and how it can impact your herd’s performance. Improving the quality of pasture and hay can certainly have an impact on your herd’s performance, and the first step should always be a soil test. Soil sampling can be one of those important tools in maintaining the proper fertilization levels in your pasture or hayfields and overall forage quality. Read more.
USRSB Unveils Sustainability Tools
for the Beef Community
Beef community works together to address sustainability in all segments.
The U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB) announced Nov. 15 the release of USRSB Sustainability Metrics, the latest tool helping those who raise, buy and sell beef understand ways to balance and improve their environmental impact, social responsibility and financial bottom line.
“The USRSB Sustainability Metrics are a result of two years of work from the entire beef community, and I am proud of the results,” said Nancy Labbe of World Wildlife Fund, a member of the USRSB. “I believe these metrics are where we need to start. They address areas that are truly important in the beef sustainability conversation.” Read more.
What’s Inside …
In this November 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:
- On Target: Disposition: Convenience or performance trait?
- Don't Let Vaccines Freeze in Cold Weather
- Beef Talk: Stability seen in long-term trends for beef growth performance.
- The 5 PsTo Chuteside Efficiency
- Warts Are Most Common in Young Cattle
- Ringworm in Cattle
- Market Update
- Calf Market Trends, Forage Production Highlight Cow-calf Clinic
- First-class Feeder-cattle Marketing
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 Journal Daily archive available in the API Virtual Library.
American Angus Association
Announces Acquisition of Verified Beef
The American Angus Association announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire the assets of Verified Beef, including its proprietary Reputation Feeder Cattle® program. Association CEO Allen Moczygemba made the announcement Nov. 4 at the 2017 Angus Convention in Fort Worth, Texas. The deal underscores the Association’s commitment to programs that increase the use of registered Angus bulls in the commercial segment, growing value for the Angus breed and the entire membership.
Moczygemba said establishing a feeder-calf program built on the use of registered Angus bulls that ties calves back to superior Angus genetics was a strategic priority set by the Board in 2016. Read more.
Healthier Lives, Healthier Communities
USDA invests more than $1 billion to improve health care in rural areas.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue Nov. 17 announced that USDA provided more than $1 billion in Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 to help improve access to health care services for 2.5 million people in rural communities in 41 states.
“USDA invests in a wide range of health care facilities — such as hospitals, clinics and treatment centers — to help ensure that rural residents have access to the same state-of-the art care available in urban and metropolitan areas,” Perdue said. “I understand that building a prosperous rural America begins with healthy people. Ensuring that rural communities have access to quality medical care is a top priority for USDA.” Read more.