ANGUS BEEF BULLETIN EXTRA

November 8, 2022 | Vol. 15 : No. 11

News & Notes

Industry tidbits from around the country.

This installment of “News & Notes” features articles about the National Angus Bull Sale in Oklahoma City, Okla., in January; the Angus Foundation Heifer Package that will kick off the sale; a change to specifications to qualify for the Certified Angus Beef® brand; the Angus Journal’s new podcast, The Angus Conversation; a partnership to address forest management and wildfire control; and funding to expand processing capacity.



National Angus Bull Sale will be Jan. 6
The 2023 National Angus Bull Sale will be Jan. 6 at 2 p.m. in the Super Barn Sale Arena during the Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City, Okla. All consignments will be DNA-profiled, will possess a complete set of expected progeny differences (EPDs) and dollar value indexes ($Values), and must be free of any genetic conditions recognized by the American Angus Association.

All bulls born before Jan. 1, 2022, will have passed a complete breeding soundness examination (sometimes referred to as a BSE), physical and semen, within 30 days of the sale.

For more information about the sale, contact sale managers Jeff Mafi (816-344-4266 or jmafi@angus.org) or Alex Tolbert (706-338-8733 or atolbert@angus.org).

Angus Foundation Heifer to kick off sale
The Angus Foundation Heifer Package will kick off the 84th National Angus Bull Sale Jan. 6 at the Cattlemen’s Congress.

The heifer headlining the 2023 Angus Foundation Heifer Package is donated by Coleman Angus of Charlo, Mont. The heifer, Coleman Chloe 173 (registration number 20076459), is the Coleman Chloe female with the highest maternal weaned calf value ($M) in the ranch’s herd. She is backed by a pedigree represented by the operation’s most notable cow families.

The offering includes transportation to the buyer’s ranch provided by Lathrop Livestock Transportation, Dundee, Ill.; and an advanced reproductive technology package from Trans Ova Genetics, Sioux Center, Iowa.

The sale will start at 2 p.m. at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds, Oklahoma City, Okla.

CAB refines hot carcass weight specification
Rewarding cattlemen and every segment of the beef industry for supplying consistent, premium beef has been a long-time focus for Certified Angus Beef. It continues to be the focus as the brand adjusts its hot carcass weight specification to a maximum of 1,100 pounds (lb.).

The revision is a result of the brand’s continual work to evaluate progress of the industry, its specifications and make adjustments that support the industry’s ability to produce the consistent, high-quality product consumers expect.

The brand’s hot carcass weight specification is being adjusted from a maximum weight of 1,050 lb. to 1,100 lb. This change was implemented by the USDA and the Canadian Beef Grading Agency on Oct. 31, 2022.

With industry economics furthering the trend for heavier carcasses, cattle producers will have greater opportunity to capitalize on brand premiums. The brand estimates the hot carcass weight adjustment could increase the number of certified carcasses 3%-4%, adding approximately 200,000 certified carcasses to supply.

Get in on the conversation
There’s a lot to talk about in the Angus business. The Angus Conversation, an Angus Journal podcast launched in August, fosters discussion on important topics in the breed.

Listen to the latest episodes anywhere you get your podcasts:

  • Willis, Noble: Commercial Cattlemen Want It All
  • A Good Bull vs. a Great Bull and Other Insight from Jarold Callahan
  • From Data Submission to Depreciation: September ’22 Board Highlights

“We’ve covered a lot of ground already — from marketing cattle on the rail all the way through to importance of phenotypes in the genetic evaluation,” says Miranda Reiman, co-host. “I hope you see this as your podcast — one that features people, like you, with the sole purpose of growing dialogue and talking about things you care about.”

To suggest guests or topics or reach out to any of the hosts, submit ideas in the comment box at www.TheAngusConversation.com. If you enjoy an episode, be sure to rate it or subscribe to never miss out.

Angus summer internships
The American Angus Association will offer internships in summer 2023. College students looking for experience in media, communications, events or genetics can visit the Angus career center at www.angus.org/careers to submit a cover letter, résumé and three references by Jan. 10, 2023.

Stewardship agreement addresses wildfire crises
The Biden-Harris administration announced Oct. 28 that the USDA’s Forest Service and the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) have signed a landmark 20-year national master stewardship agreement. The agreement paves the way for the partner organizations to work together to address the wildfire crisis in the West and promote healthy forests across the United States. It includes an initial $50-million commitment from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, as well as regular agency appropriations and other sources.

“This agreement reflects our strong, long-standing relationship with the National Wild Turkey Federation and its four decades of forest restoration work on national forests and grasslands,” USDA Forest Service Chief Randy Moore said. “Larger wildfires, more frequent natural disasters, and other disturbances that continue to threaten the health of the nation’s forests and grasslands, and the wildlife habitat they provide, means the work we do together is even more vital.”

When Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the Forest Service’s wildfire crisis strategy at the beginning of this year, the NWTF began to identify areas where they could assist. Using funding made possible by this agreement, the NWTF will develop regional projects to protect communities, reduce wildfire risk, and improve forest health, wildlife habitat and water quality on national forests and grasslands.

USDA announces funds to expand processing capacity
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) commended USDA following Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack’s Nov. 2 announcement of more than $223 million in grants and loans to support small to mid-sized processing facilities.

“NCBA has long advocated for expanded processing capacity to provide cattle producers with additional options for turning their cattle into high-quality beef. Today, the cattle industry needs more targeted capacity in high-need areas, and we look forward to these facilities launching and expanding operations,” said Tanner Beymer, NCBA senior director of government affairs. “We appreciate USDA working with NCBA to strengthen the marketplace and support America’s cattle producers.”

The Nov. 2 announcement is the first round of investments in additional meat processing capacity totaling $73 million across 21 grant projects. NCBA has advocated for funds in the form of grants and low-interest loans to help small and mid-sized processing facilities open their doors and expand existing capabilities, all to increase competition and strengthen the beef supply chain. In total, the federal government has announced a combined investment of $1 billion allocated to the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program, workforce development, and technical assistance.