NE delegates at Cattle Industry Convention
Nebraska is sending several delegates to the Cattle Industry Convetion and trade show going on in San Antonio, Texas. One of those in attendance is Nebraska Cattlemen President Elect Chuck Folken from Leigh. He says Nebraska will be promoting a resolution...
(click below to hear audio)
:13 "... that to convention."
Another topic that will receive much discussion is NCBA's governance. The Governance Task Force, of which N-C Executive Vice President Michael Kelsey is a member, is recommending a 29-member Board of Directors, 26 of whom are elected by a 250-vote House of Delegates and three ex-officio non-voting members. These include the Federation of State Beef Councils Chair and Vice-Chair and the NCBA CEO. The House of Delegates will include 100 votes from NCBA Affiliates, 100 votes from State Beef Councils, and 50 votes from breed associations and other interested groups. According to the task force, members of the House of Delegates will vote on policy and demand building programs to be recommended to the Board of Directors, which will be the body with legal and fiduciary responsibility for the association.
2010 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Attracts Thousands of Cattle Producers to San Antonio
Attendees are Addressing Key Industry Challenges, Opportunities
More than 5,000 cattle industry members have descended on San Antonio, Tex. for the 2010 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show, which began here yesterday. The event is the largest of its kind in the cattle industry, and includes the annual meetings of NCBA, the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, American National CattleWomen, Cattle-Fax and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation.
“This is an important time for the future of the beef industry,” Gary Voogt, NCBA president told thousands of producers attending the Opening General Session yesterday. “Our business and our way of life are under attack.
“Our committees will be addressing this and other problems this week as we work toward a unified plan to make the business profitable and sustainable again,” he told attendees. “The buck stops with you. Get after it.”
Keynote speaker at yesterday’s Opening General Session of the Convention was Chris Gardner, author of the book The Pursuit of Happyness and inspiration for the 2006 blockbuster movie of the same name starring Will Smith. The Pursuit of Happyness chronicles a compelling rags-to-riches story that found Gardner homeless and trying to raise his son 20 years ago. He landed a trainee position at Dean Witter Reynolds in 1981 and worked his way up, becoming a top earner at Bear Stearns & Company and starting his own brokerage firm, Gardner Rich LLC in Chicago.
The NCBA Trade Show also opened its doors yesterday, featuring more than 260 exhibitors who are highlighting their products and services to attendees. In addition, NCBA’s award-winning Cattlemen-to-Cattlemen television program aired two live programs on RFD-TV Tuesday and Wednesday nights to showcase the Convention and views of many of its attendees.
The 2010 Cattle Industry Convention wraps up Saturday, Jan. 30, when the annual meetings of the NCBA and the Cattlemen’s Beef Board are conducted.
Cattle Prices May Rise as Exports Rebound
Cattle prices may increase this year as global economies recover and U.S. beef exports rebound, said Gregg Doud, the chief economist for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. He says spot-market cattle may average 85 cents to 86 cents a pound this year. Prices averaged 82.87 cents last year in a producing region that includes Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado and Minnesota, government data show. "I'm bullish on exports from a point that last year was terrible, given the value of the dollar and the economy," Doud said. "The focus is going to be on Asia."
The dollar rose 7.6 percent last year against the South Korean won, making beef from Australia, the world’s second- largest exporter of the meat, more attractive, Doud said. South Korea has been tapped as a growth market for exports, after the country reopened its borders to some U.S. beef in June 2008. Korea banned U.S. bone-in beef in 2003 following the discovery of the country’s first case of mad cow disease.
In the first 11 months of 2009, U.S. beef exports shrank 3 percent from a year earlier, including a 15 percent drop to South Korea, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data. The ratification of a free-trade agreement with the Asian nation would be “a huge deal for our economy and especially for the beef industry,” Doud said in a speech. Key growth markets also include Taiwan, which in October lifted a ban on some U.S. beef older than 30 months of age, and Japan, Doud said. Japan currently only accepts beef from U.S. cattle younger than 20 months.
U.S. Premium Beef Brings Asian Barbecue Sizzle to NCBA Trade Show
One of the most popular attractions at Wednesday’s grand opening of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show in San Antonio belonged to U.S. Premium Beef. The company, a member of the U.S. Meat Export Federation, decided to promote the value of beef exports by serving samples of the Asian barbecue dish Yakiniku (YAK-A-NEE-KOO) – a thinly sliced cut derived from the beef short rib that is especially popular in South Korea and Japan. The samples were enjoyed by a steady stream of cattle producers throughout the evening.
Bill Miller, director of communications for U.S. Premium Beef, explains that the purpose of the barbecue promotion was to illustrate for cattle producers the critical importance of U.S. beef exports to their industry, and to the bottom line of their operations.
Audio Clip #1 :39 Outcue: (…in the other markets.)
Miller also comments on the important role played by the Beef Checkoff Program in promoting U.S. beef in overseas markets.
Audio Clip #2 :20 Outcue: (…absolutely support.)
The NCBA Trade Show continues today and Friday, in conjunction with the Cattle Industry Annual Convention.
As American as a pork, bean and apple pie
Pork loin. Four types of dry beans. A couple of apples. Toss in a few other ingredients and bake in a pie. Yes – a pie!
No, this isn’t the latest food craze circulating through the culinary elite. It is the basis for the grand prize winning recipe in the New Pork & Beans Recipe Challenge sponsored by the Nebraska Dry Bean Commission and Nebraska Pork Producers Association.
“The winning recipe – Pork, Bean and Apple Pie – was the judges’ favorite,” said Todd Stuthman, chair of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association’s domestic marketing committee. “The creative mix of pork, beans, apples, onions, cinnamon and cayenne pepper combined and baked in a pie crust offers a great mix of flavors served in an interesting way.”
Pam Lam of Seward, Neb., created this grand prize winning recipe and received the $1,000 top award.
Staff from the Dry Bean Commission and Nebraska Pork Producers Association narrowed the dozens of entrants to the top 10 recipes that created flavors and dishes beyond traditional pork and beans fare. Staff from the Nebraska Pork Producers Association, Nebraska Dry Bean Commission, Chef Judy Gilliard with KFOR Radio and the Food Service Hospitality Program at Southeast Community College prepared and helped judge the top 10 before settling on the top five winning recipes.
“Pork, Bean and Apple Pie is incredibly creative and tasty, but the other winning recipes, including a sweet wild rice and pork salad and tango lime pork wraps, are excellent. Simply delicious,” said Lynn Reuter of the Nebraska Dry Bean Commission. “There were so many good recipes it was difficult to choose the top five.”
The second place recipe and $500 went to Carol Hassebrook of Bellwood, Neb., and her Sweet Wild Rice and Pork Salad recipe. Third place and $250 went to Jane Galley of Columbus, Neb., for her Pork Enchilada casserole creation. Fourth place honors and $150 went to Dana Ball of Valparaiso, Neb., and her Tango Lime Pork Wraps recipe, while fifth place and $75 went to Bri Buser of Lincoln, Neb., and her Grilled Pork Tenderloin and a Spanish-Style Cassoulet dish.
All five recipes are available in a special brochure at the Nebraska Pork Producers website, www.nepork.org, under the “Consumers” tab.
“We want to thank everyone who got creative and submitted a recipe that combines the flavors of today’s lean pork and dry beans, which are a great source of low-fat fiber and protein,” Reuter said. “Nebraska is the country’s top producer of dry beans and a leading producer of pork. We had a lot of fun tasting so many creations that combined these Nebraska products in different ways.”
Stuthman, a pork producer from Columbus, said the recipe challenge is a great avenue to spread the word about Nebraska pork and beans. “We’re always looking for new ways to use Nebraska agriculture products,” he said. “The recipe challenge helps bring to light some of these flavors hidden away in kitchens across the state.”
25th Women in Ag Conference Feb. 25-26 in Kearney
Nebraska women will celebrate 25 years of empowering women in the agriculture industry Feb. 25-26 at the Kearney Holiday Inn.
The theme for this year's University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Women in Agriculture conference is "Celebrating Our Heritage, Exploring Our Future." Nebraska women will find dozens of workshops, "funshops" and networking to them help cultivate their dreams and learn new information to harvest profits, said Megan Voss, Women in Ag coordinator.
The two-day conference begins Feb. 25 with 9 a.m. registration followed by a 10 a.m. welcome and keynote speaker Michele Payne-Knoper.
One of two keynote speakers, Payne-Knoper, a professional speaker, consultant, agriculture expert and author, will inspire participants to celebrate their unique role, what's special about rural America and share that celebration with others.
On Feb. 26, keynote speaker Yvonne Hollenbeck will address participants. Hollenbeck is an award-winning cowgirl poet who, along with her husband, Glen, raise Angus beef cattle and quarter horses.
Participants will be able to choose from more than 30 workshops spread out over five sessions throughout the two-day conference. Topics range from resources for business growth, estate planning and being an advocate for agriculture to computer and software information, how to be a better communicator and stress control.
Evening "funshops" are one-hour, optional sessions offered with a goal of networking and fun.
Early bird registration of $90 per person is due by Feb. 12. After Feb. 12, the fee is $100. The fee includes workshop materials, registration, breaks, lunch and dinner on Feb. 25 and breakfast and lunch on Feb. 26.
To register or for more information about the conference, including a complete list of workshop and speaker bios, conference sponsors, booths and lodging information, visit the Women in Ag Web site at http://wia.unl.edu and click on WIA Conference in the left column or call (800) 535-3456, fax (402) 472-0776 or mail Women In Agriculture, UNL Agricultural Economics, 304 Filley Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0922.
Five scholarships to cover the registration fee are available for full-time, UNL College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources students, and 10 scholarships to cover half the registration fee are available for non-CASNR students. All student scholarship recipients are responsible for their own travel, hotel and any additional expenses. Applications also can be found on the Women in Ag Web site. Applications are due Feb. 3.
Culver Presents Budget Proposal; Northey Not Satisfied
Governor Chet Culver Wednesday released his Fiscal Year 2011 Budget recommendation. The Governor's $5.32 billion proposal spends less money than the budget at the time the Governor took office, and provides necessary resources to key priority areas -- education, health care, and public safety.
"My budget is balanced," said Governor Culver. "It does not raise taxes on hardworking Iowans. And it protects some priorities which will continue to strengthen our state, keeping our commitment to children's health insurance, public safety, and education at all levels." To see the full budget recommendation, visit the Governor's website at www.governor.iowa.gov.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey said, "The Governor's proposal would mean that it is 1994 for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship once again. The Governor's proposed $16.8 million general fund appropriation is the same level of funding the Department received in 1994. Unfortunately, costs have increased significantly since 1994 and spending for the rest of state government has grown 48 percent in that time.
Northey continued, "Due to built in increases that the Department has no control over, we are actually looking at $3.29 million budget gap that needs to be filled. These built in increases include two previously negotiated salary increases, increased health insurance costs, replacing one-time funding sources that we were directed by the Legislature to use in the current fiscal year, and replacing the savings that resulted from the five furlough days taken by AFSCME covered employees.
In addition, Northey contends that the Governor's proposal to reduce the Environmental First funding the Department receives by $1.87 million will not only impact the number of conservation projects we will be able to assist farmers with, but will mean a $187,000 cut to fund the staff that are on the ground helping farmers design those practices. "The Department has already experienced 5 layoffs and has 44 open positions, which is over 10 percent of our workforce. If the Governor's proposal is implemented we will need to reduce staffing by approximately another 50 positions," said Northey.
Study Shows Iowans Want Biodiesel in State's Diesel Fuel
Nearly seven out of 10 Iowa voters say they want legislation to ensure the state’s diesel fuel supply includes five percent biodiesel (B5). The Iowa Biodiesel Board released the results of new public opinion research today to show legislators that there is strong support for the proposed Iowa Biodiesel Fuel Quality Standard legislation. The measure, which passed the State Senate last year with bipartisan support and now awaits passage in the House, would ensure that Iowa uses one of its most prominent homegrown products. It would benefit the state’s economy, environment and energy security.
“This would create demand for 45 million gallons of Iowa-made biodiesel a year, reducing our state’s use of foreign oil by a corresponding amount,” said Randy Olson, IBB executive director. “Why wouldn’t we use our own energy product here?”
Iowans agree. Conducted by Moore Information in December, the public opinion research found that:
· 66 percent of Iowa voters said they support the B5 legislation.
· Only 16 percent said they oppose it.
· More than 4 out of 5 surveyed said they would use biodiesel if given the chance.
Biodiesel is a renewable fuel made from agricultural co-products such as soybean oil. Biodiesel blends can be used in any diesel engine, and up to B5 is legally considered diesel fuel. Although once the national leader in biodiesel production capacity, today almost half of Iowa’s biodiesel plants are closed or idled. Those left standing have drastically reduced production. “As biodiesel plants close their doors, Iowa has already lost 2,500 green jobs, and its position as the leading biodiesel state,” Olson said. “We have an opportunity to reverse this trend, and reinvigorate an industry that still holds promise.”
The IBB has organized a Day on the Hill with biodiesel producers and other supporters on Wednesday, Feb. 3. They will share the public opinion information and ask for support from legislators. IBB is one of several state organizations supporting the bill. Others include Iowa Farm Bureau, American Lung Association of Iowa, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, and Iowa Corn Growers Association.
A new study released this week by IRFA shows Iowa’s permanent jobs stemming from the biodiesel industry have dipped from 5,400 in 2008 to 2,900 last year. The industry’s contribution to the state GDP in 2008 was $1 billion dollars. That dropped by more than half in 2009.
ABC Nightline Investigates Tail Docking, Dehorning
A much anticipated—and dreaded—segment on ABC Nightline appeared Tuesday evening, showing tail docking and dehorning on a 5,000-cow New York dairy farm.
The segment was reported by Brian Ross, ABC’s Nightline chief investigative correspondent, relying on undercover video taken by the animal rights group, Mercy for Animals. The video showed tail docking and dehorning without anesthetic, a dairy employee striking a heifer on the nose with a wrench, and a cow down in a manure-laden alley.
The six-minute segment also had a short segment of Chris Galen, National Milk Producers Federation spokesperson, saying housing and welfare have vastly improved compared to facilities of decades past. But the on-farm video juxtaposed against the Galen comments did not show the industry in good light. You can see the clip here... http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=9671990 .
Dairy Management, Inc. (DMI) also provided ABC with other farm sources, including another New York dairy. However, that footage did not air, perhaps due to the fact ABC led Nightline with a 10-minute segment on Toyota’s suspension of sales of its most popular car models due to problems with sticky accelerators.
ABC’s Ross had also questioned Galen about U.S. federal somatic cell count (SCC) standards being lower than world standards. That discussion also did not make the final cut.
DMI has updated its fact sheet on SCCs, tail-docking and animal welfare issues on its Web site... http://www.dairyfarmingtoday.org/NR/rdonlyres/27F5890B-1A1D-4A61-8A5B-FA6AEB0C1769/0/AnimalCareFactSheet.pdf .
The Center for Food Integrity also has developed a "call to action" for producers to respond via their local media to set the record straight. The call to action can be found here... http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102968809734&s=22642&e=001FImqTy4ge7XekbFqEDXuFL3cZFIhocuFcyi2QA0Jyv117Asp3yjj_YAt3rdFPy2RJRqsNr_Gng_XK4SamN3Ku4r55UJCJtJu-ME3nVdqAhl4DX06xZzaqAAEKI-vMd-TDqsSV5KaKN0sWbDnlnFVlXmvjgjspl3Q6K_7PfbrwjVAdejIhDb4mrGMI3wczCAuUJIE3cIFZk0= . It includes overall messaging for livestock producers covering their ethical commitment to animal care, why livestock production looks different today, and its importance to local communities. It also includes specific messages on tail docking and dehorning.
Twitter, Other Social Media Give Nebraska Farmers Tools to Be Ag Advocates
By Sandi Alswager Karstens
Social media may be taking agriculture by storm and along with it Nebraska farmers and University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Agriculture and Natural Resources alumni.
Often out in the tractor working long days alone, farmers young and old are using newly affordable and accessible technology, such as BlackBerries and iPhones to tap into social media applications. By participating, they are taking Nebraska farmers' ideas, concerns and ideals across the state and around the world.
From top 10 lists of "who to follow in agriculture" to a weekly Tuesday night #agchat -- a forum for people interested in agriculture -- watching the ag community develop on Twitter has been incredible, said Zach Hunnicutt, a farmer in Hamilton County and 2004 UNL agricultural economics grad.
Just by tweeting or posting, Nebraska farmers are able to engage skeptics and shape perceptions of agriculture within a global conversation, he said.
Twitter, the fast-growing social media tool that allows users to quickly submit brief (140 characters or less) messages to a network of other users, is gaining the same foothold in agriculture as it has in other businesses and industries.
"It gives us each a platform to tell our story about our operations, and it's important that we tell our stories before someone else tells them for us," he said. "It's never been easier to communicate with the entire world, and as consumers pay more attention to ag issues, it's important that we're there to answer their questions."
Zach Hunnicutt is starting his fourth year of farming along with his dad, brother and neighbor raising irrigated corn and soybeans. He can be found on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Zjhunn. His brother, Brandon Hunnicutt, is also a dedicated Twitter user at http://twitter.com/cornfedfarmer.
Brandon Hunnicutt, who has been farming corn, soybeans and popcorn for 12 years, said at first he just signed up for Twitter because he was curious. Then a fellow farmer suggested they start tweeting to educate people and help protect the animal industry in Nebraska.
The 1998 UNL agribusiness grad said it allows them to see what those in ag in other states are dealing with concerning animal welfare issues and allows them to reach out to people who don't understand modern agriculture production.
"It has become a great way to let people know about the issues we have in ag." he said. "Some may be state specific, like the issues that came up with the checkoffs during the special session and the budget shortfall in Nebraska. It also has allowed us to show what is going on in the ethanol industry."
Or, it may be as simple as talking about the weather. Yet, even idle tweeting can start worthwhile conversations.
"My favorite was informing people how many bags of microwave popcorn are in a semi-load of harvested popcorn," he said.
He said social media really allows those in agriculture in different regions and on many different types of farms to offer a glimpse of the producer's work and life, an equal-parts mix of business, career and lifestyle.
"There are a lot of great guys out there doing a great job spreading the world of what agriculture is all about," he said. "I believe this is a tool ag will have to use in the future. Those that are anti-ag are using it to promote their positions, and we need to be able to spread the truth of what goes on in ag. Plus, as ag becomes more and more high tech we can use it to make sure we keep the best and the brightest to continue to stay in ag."
On Twitter, #agchat is a Tuesday night staple, an online think-tank, of sorts, for ag issues. The open discussion gives everyone an opportunity to start conversations on these issues and help shape opinions, Zach Hunnicutt said.
"Far from an echo chamber, it's a wide-ranging group of farmers, agribusiness people and ag enthusiasts that discusses differing views in a respectful, civil manner," he said.
He thinks Twitter is gaining momentum on the farm due to the rising popularity of smart phones and automation such as auto-steering in tractors. Brandon Hunnicutt said he tries to Twitter a handful of times a day -- a task made possible, even in a tractor, with his Web-enabled BlackBerry smart phone.
Zach Hunnicutt also is on Facebook, YouTube, MySpace and LinkedIn. He says Facebook and Twitter account for 99 percent of his social media interaction.
He said he also uses Twitter to get a large amount of his news by following a wide range of news organizations in addition to keeping in touch with friends. Depending on how busy he is, he may post a couple of tweets per day or spend hours sending messages from his BlackBerry on topics as sobering as the Haiti earthquake, and as trivial as "American Idol."
"Twitter is as quick and easy to communicate with others as text messaging," he said. "It's also interesting to follow what topics are on the mind of the Twitter community."
Paul McHargue, a farmer near Central City, who graduated from UNL in 1993 with a degree in mechanized systems management, said he started tweeting because he is on the Nebraska Agricultural Technology Association board and they challenged members to use all the new technology that they can. He's been tweeting for a couple months and can be found at http://twitter.com/pmcharg.
While trying to be a better advocate for agriculture, he said he probably doesn't tweet as much as he should but does try to at least once a week using his phone.
He believes Twitter's reach will grow and thinks it is a tool farmers and ranchers can use to their advantage in the future.
"Letting people know how we farm and why we care so much about food safety is very important," he said.
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Glickman Named President of Refugees International
Refugees International, a leading advocacy organization on refugee crises worldwide, has named fromer USDA Secretary Dan Glickman as its new president. Glickman brings to RI a long history of public service, fighting hunger and helping underserved people in the U.S. and around the world. He currently serves as chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and will start at RI in April.
"While I have truly enjoyed my experience at the MPAA, it is time for me to return to my true passion: public service," said Glickman. "Refugees International has important work to do and I can't sit on the sidelines as the world sees more and more people forced from their homes every day. I am very excited about this extraordinary opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of the most vulnerable people in the world."
