AG Act Explained
Revisions to immigrant guestworker program proposed.
Proposed legislation to revamp the guestworker program for immigrant agricultural workers is again being discussed in Congress. Speaking on behalf of Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Stephanie Gadbois, senior counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, explained the proposed Agricultural Guestworker Act (AG Act) to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Agriculture & Food Policy Committee Feb. 2 in Phoenix, Ariz. during the 2018 Cattle Industry Convention.
According to Gadbois, the proposed AG Act (dubbed the “H-2C” program), which would replace the current H-2A program applied to immigrant agricultural workers seeking temporary or seasonal work in the United States, would be administered by the USDA instead of the Secretary of Labor. Read more.
Rod Geppert
Association Perspective
Where can you find the high-quality bulls that meet your needs?
Many breeds claim they have the best genetics for your cow herd, but none can back that statement up like reliable, registered Angus genetics. Many of you have been breeding Angus for years and already know this, but the Angus breed not only offers lower birth weights during calving, it more importantly offers greater performance and significantly better marbling than other breeds. In addition, the Angus breed is also known for creating a superior mother cow. How can we prove this?
These claims are based on real data from the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) and not hype. As you are well aware, Angus is backed by the world’s largest and most reliable genetic evaluation program. Who needs other breeds for added performance when performance Angus bulls already exist that can sire calves that bring, on the average, $7 per hundredweight (cwt.) more than other breeds? Read more.
Dry Spring Expected for Much of United States
CattleFax market analysts are predicting a likely halt to the expansion of the U.S. cow herd in 2018, at least partly because of weather.
Dry conditions have spread across much of the United States and intensified in a large portion of cow country — especially the Southwest. According to CattleFax weatherman Art Douglas, drought conditions are likely to persist and spread even further during the coming months. Read more.
Tax Reform and You
The good, the bad and the ugly of new tax rules for farmers and ranchers.
Enactment of the first major tax reform package in 30 years includes a number of changes that will affect farmers and ranchers. Estate and succession planner Michael McCormack, with Lincoln Agri Business Services, talked about the good, the bad and the ugly implications of new tax laws.
McCormack said a significant change, and a good one, is the new permanent 21% corporate tax rate designed to stimulate corporate investment and creation of jobs. However, most farm and ranch business entities are not incorporated. For those, seven expanded tax brackets apply, representing moderately lower tax rates. Read more.
What’s Inside …
In this February 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:
- Calving Do’s and Don’ts
- Prepare for FMD
- Cattle Analyst Positive for 2018
- Stretch Hay Supplies
- Dealing with Broken Bones in Calves
- Plenty of Feedlot Cattle to Start 2018
- Evaluate Risk, Then Manage It
- Shortage of Feed-grade Vitamins
- USDA Launches MARS, Delivering Faster Market Data to Ag Producers
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.
Adapting Is Essential to Survive and Thrive
Research shows innovators and early adopters tend to stay in business.
“Our environment is constantly changing. Those that adapt and change to the new environment fit and thrive. Those that don’t are misfits,” and often go out of business, shared Zoetis technical veterinarian Robin Falkner as he addressed beef producers and beef industry leaders gathered in Cheyenne, Wyo., Nov. 27 for a dinner and presentation hosted by Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) and Zoetis. The event was a precursor to the biennial Range Beef Cow Symposium (RBCS) hosted Nov. 28-30 in Cheyenne.
Falkner, who works from Tennessee, continued his comments about adapting, noting, “If there are things (i.e., technology) that can give you a little advantage, you need to take it.” Read more.
The Flu: What To Do If You Get Sick
How do I know if I have the flu?
You may have the flu if you have some or all of these symptoms
- fever*,
- cough,
- sore throat,
- runny or stuffy nose,
- body aches,
- headache,
- chills,
- fatigue, and
- sometimes diarrhea and vomiting.