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Angus Productions Inc.

November 21, 2011

Range Beef Cow Symposium

Join API, fellow ranchers for one of the best educational programs available in the beef industry.

Cattlemen will gather at the Mitchell Event Center located on the Scotts Bluff County Fairgrounds, Mitchell, Neb., Nov. 29-Dec. 1 for the 2011 Range Beef Cow Symposium. The biennial symposium has a reputation of being an excellent educational program, offering practical production management information since the first symposium in Chadron, Neb., in 1969. Angus Productions Inc. (API) will be on hand to provide coverage during and after the meeting. Read more.


Andy Rest

Andy Rest

Association Perspective

High-percentage Angus calves earn premiums as new white paper calls into question the rationale for crossbreeding.

As I write this article in the middle of November, we have seen all-time highs paid for commercial feeder cattle. It has been a truly amazing time to be in the cattle business. Today, more than ever, it is extremely important to do everything you can to ensure that your calves are at the top of the market.

In my travels, the calves sired by a registered Angus bull are still the most in demand. If they are out of an Angus-based cow herd, so much the better. These high-percentage "Angus Angus" calves, as the auctioneers like to call them, have the kind of growth, marbling, tenderness and feed efficiency characteristics that feeders and packers can depend on. Read more.


Watch Tonight

Tonight's I Am Angus will celebrate America's ranching tradition.

A new episode of the American Angus Association's I Am Angus television series will air tonight, Nov. 21, at 8 p.m. Eastern (7 p.m. Central) on RFD-TV. This month's show is titled, "Ranching Matters: A Celebration of America's Ranching Traditions."

I Am Angus focuses on the heart of the Angus cattle business — its people, their heritage and why they've chosen to be in the Angus business. The documentary series explores each sector of the Angus breed and beef business, Angus heritage and how animal agriculture meets the challenge of feeding a growing population. Read more.


DNA Test for Gain, Grade Available Soon

Value-based tool will help commercial producers better select, manage Angus cattle.

A new DNA test for marbling and postweaning growth will soon help cattle producers better hit the high-quality beef target. The tool, set to debut in early 2012, will be made available under a development agreement between Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) and Pfizer Animal Genetics, the companies announced.

Exclusive marketing rights are reserved for Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB), in line with the company's continuing effort to increase the supply of cattle for the brand. AGI and CAB are subsidiaries of the American Angus Association. Read more.


Meat Scientists Work to Enhance Marbling

Efficiency is a goal of research to enhance marbling without additional days on feed.

"With high feed costs and the high cost of gain for cattle feeders, what if we could achieve the same degree of marbling with [fewer] days on feed?" asked Brad Johnson, Texas Tech meat scientist. "We feel that that's where the economic advantage is."

Johnson has been working on a five-year study, along with Ki Yong Chung, also of Texas Tech; Stephen Smith and Seong Ho Choi of Texas A&M University; and Matthew Doumit of the University of Idaho to better understand regulation of marbling development by fatty acids in beef cattle.

"We know marbling increases the palatability of beef, the juiciness and indirectly increases tenderness," Johnson said. "Cattle on grass tend to have lower marbling scores than corn-fed cattle. Grass is very high in a particular fatty acid — alpha-linolenic acid, and we feel that a little of that moves through the rumen and could actually repress marbling development in beef cattle." Read more.


#FoodThanks Returns for Thanksgiving

#foodthanksThis Thanksgiving season, people throughout the food system will be using social media to show their thanks for food and raise awareness of agriculture through the AgChat Foundation's #foodthanks campaign. Last year more than 800 people participated in the campaign by blogging, adding the #foodthanks twibbon to their avatar photo and sharing more than 2,000 Twitter posts.

"For many of us, this month is when we take time to give thanks for the food on our tables," says Darin Grimm, president of the AgChat Foundation, a 100% volunteer organization that aims to empower farmers and ranchers to "agvocate" via social media platforms. "The #foodthanks campaign provides tools and inspiration for people to take their personal expressions of gratitude beyond the dinner table to friends, family and followers within their social networks." 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:


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.


Many Kentuckians Struggling Through Tough Economic Conditions

Effects of recession lingering, according to UK study.

According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, the Great Recession ended in June 2009, but many Kentuckians are still feeling its effects and are financially struggling, according to a study conducted by Jennifer Hunter, assistant extension professor for family financial management in the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Agriculture.

In May, more than 500 randomly selected Kentucky families participated in a survey about their financial situation, financial goals and changes in lifestyle due to finances. Nearly 50% indicated that their financial situation is worse now compared to a year ago, and 64% have experienced an increased strain on family money used for necessities. Read more.


Your Health

Volunteering Decreases Substance Use in Rural Teens

UM study found that prosocial behaviors serve as protective factors against adolescents engaging in risky behaviors.

Young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 report the highest rates of substance use and dependence, according to the National Survey on Drug Use & Health. A new study from the University of Missouri (MU) found that rural adolescents who engage in prosocial behaviors, such as volunteering and helping others, are less likely to use substances as young adults.

Gustavo Carlo, Millsap professor of diversity in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, examined data from surveys given to a group of rural youths from junior high school to young adulthood. Carlo found that prosocial behaviors serve as protective factors against adolescents engaging in risky behaviors. Thus, teens who engage in more prosocial behaviors are less likely to get drunk or use marijuana as young adults. Click here to learn more about the study.


 

 

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