Scholarship deadline May 1
Scholarships are available to college students involved with the Angus breed, including those whose families buy registered Angus bulls for commercial beef production. The Angus Foundation offers scholarships to undergraduate, graduate and trade school students to help Angus youth achieve educational goals and offset the rising costs of tuition. Applications are due May 1.

Commercial Cattlemen Scholarship. The Angus Foundation will award four $1,500 scholarships to undergraduate students who use Angus genetics in a commercial cattle operation’s breeding program or whose parents use Angus genetics. Emphasis will be placed on applicants’ knowledge of the cattle industry and perspective of the Angus breed.

The applicant or their parent/guardian must have transferred or been transferred an Angus registration paper in the last 36 months (on or after May 1, 2020) and must be considered commercial and not seedstock in their operation. The scholarship applies to any field of study.

Download the application from www.angusfoundation.org. Submit completed applications by email to scholarships@angus.org by May 1. For more information about the Angus Foundation and scholarships available, visit www.angusfoundation.org.

2023 Angus Convention
Mark your calendars to attend the 2023 Angus Convention in Orlando, Fla., Nov. 3-6, at Rosen Shingle Creek. Booth information is available at www.angusconvention.com. Registration and hotel blocks will open July 1.

The convention offers producers and industry leaders opportunities for networking, education and breed improvement, in addition to conducting the business of the American Angus Association.

Pathfinder qualifiers announced
The American Angus Association 2023 Pathfinder^® Report became available early February, highlighting 7,862 cows and 264 sires that qualified for recognition. To qualify for the 2023 report, a cow must have produced a calf measured through Angus Herd Improvement Records (AHIR^®) of performance in the past 18 months and meet the following requirements:

• She must have produced her first calf within 30 days of the herd’s average age for first calving.
• She must have maintained a regular calving interval with the maximum interval defined as 365 days + (30 days ÷ the number of calving intervals).
• She must have a minum average progeny weaning weight ratio of 105 with at least three calves evaluated against five or more contemporaries in consideration.
• Her calves must be sired by registered Angus bulls.

Of 2.8 million eligible dams, 7,862 qualified for the 2023 report.

Sires that have produced five or more Pathfinder Cows are also listed in the report to recognize bulls that excel in their ability to sire daughters with early puberty and the genetic potential for milk production and growth. This year’s report features 264 sires.

To view the report online, visit www.angus.org/performance/pathfinderinformation.

NCBA calls for immediate halt to imports of Brazilian beef — again
In late February, Brazil reported another atypical case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). That report indicated 35 days elapsed between when the case was first identified Jan. 18, 2023, and when it was confirmed Feb. 22, 2023 — a delay in clear violation of WOAH reporting requirements.

According to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), it is clear Brazil is incapable of prompt testing and the reporting requirements that all nations must follow when engaging in international beef trade. Because of a repeated pattern of delayed reporting, the NCBA is calling on Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to take immediate action to indefinitely suspend beef imports from Brazil until it has made systemic reforms and takes necessary steps to restore confidence in the nation’s ability to participate in the global beef supply.

“We have seen Brazil repeatedly fail to meet the 24-hour requirement for reporting of animal diseases listed by WOAH. In order to protect the safety and security of the U.S. herd, and American cattle producers, we demand USDA take immediate steps to block further beef imports from Brazil,” said NCBA president and South Dakota cattleman Todd Wilkinson. “Furthermore, we expect USDA to keep the border closed to Brazil until they can demonstrate that they are willing and able to play by the trade rules that govern all other nations. If they can’t play by the rules, they don’t deserve access.”

NCBA is supportive of bipartisan Senate legislation to suspend Brazilian beef imports pending a review of Brazil’s standards.

NCBA condemns House and Senate bills aimed at ‘checkoff reform’
Legislation introduced Feb. 28 in the House and Senate represents nothing more than another attempt to allow activists to dictate to producers, according to an NCBA news release issued in response to the legislation. Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah), and their partners Sens. Rand Paul, (R-Ky.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) introduced the Senate bill. Reps. Nancy Mace, (R-S.C.), and Dina Titus, (D-Nev.) introduced the House bill.

“In 2021 cattle producers overwhelmingly denied a referendum to end the Checkoff with detractors coming nowhere near the required signatures to petition for the termination of this vital program. The Beef Checkoff has a long track record of support among cattle producers,” said NCBA President Todd Wilkinson. “Congress has plenty of work to do that could be far more beneficial to Americans. They should focus in areas of urgent need, rather than wasting time on these unwelcome ‘reform efforts’ that would only benefit anti-agriculture activists.”

The Checkoff’s legality and current implementation has been upheld by multiple federal courts and, last year, the Supreme Court denied a petition challenging the Checkoff.

“For every dollar paid into the Checkoff program, $11.91 is returned in producer profit, and between 2014-2018 total domestic beef demand increased by 12.8 billion pounds. Any legislation that would hurt beef promotion efforts is tantamount to taking money directly out of cattle producers’ pockets,” said Wilkinson. “The introduction of the Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2023 represents Senators Booker, Lee, Paul, Warren and Gillibrand working to subvert the will of U.S. cattle producers. NCBA will always stand firm in its support of the U.S. Beef Checkoff program and will continue to fight the animal rights groups and the members of Congress who assist them in their efforts to end animal agriculture.”

Cattle industry to honor environmental stewards in Washington, D.C.
The Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) will host a reception and awards ceremony April 25 in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with the NCBA Spring Legislative Conference. The evening will feature the announcement of the 2022 ESAP national winner from the group of seven regional winners recognized during the Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show in New Orleans in February.

ESAP annually recognizes the outstanding stewardship practices and conservation achievements of U.S. cattle producers. Cattlemen and women work every day to protect the environment, improve wildlife habitats and adopt the latest technologies while operating sustainable businesses that support rural communities. As a result of ranchers’ commitment to continuous improvement and scientific advancements in beef cattle genetics, nutrition, production practices and biotechnologies, the United States is a global leader in sustainable beef production.

“Announcing the national winner at a special ceremony in Washington, D.C., is new to the program. We believe sharing the cattle industry’s great stewardship story with thought leaders in our nation’s capital helps underscore the serious commitment cattlemen and women have to conserving natural resources and caring for livestock,” said NCBA President Todd Wilkinson. “We’re proud of the regional winners we recognized during our convention and look forward to celebrating the national winner. These farms and ranches undertake stewardship efforts unique to their environment, landscape and resources. Their desire is to leave the land in better shape for future generations while also inspiring the next generation of land stewards.”

The 2022 regional winners are Lamb Farms Inc., Oakfield, N.Y.; Carter Cattle Co. LLC, Pintlala, Ala.; Huth Polled Herefords and S&H Livestock Enterprises LLC, Oakfield, Wis.; Parks Ranch, Goliad County, Texas; Mannix Bros. Ranch, Helmville, Mont.; Fulstone Ranches, Smith, Nev.; and Jorgensen Land & Cattle Partnership, Ideal, S.D.

Sponsors for the ESAP reception and awards ceremony include Corteva Agriscience, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, McDonald’s and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

World Angus Technical Meeting
Registration for the World Angus Technical Meeting is open. The event, set to take place September 8-15 in Czechia, will feature a series of presentations, the national show, farm tours and more. For complete information and to register, visit www.worldangus2023.com.

The registration process will include accommodations, tours, some meals, and some transportation. For assistance with individual flight arrangements, any additional pre- or post-meeting travel, as well as coordinating travel with other attendees, please contact Nicole Beck, Travel Agent, at 816-364-3232 or nicole@auratravel.com; or visit www.auratravel.com.

To have the most flexibility and options for your tip, planning early is encouraged.

Angus members: Check your voting eligibility now
American Angus Association members wanting to participate in the election of delegates and alternate delegates to the 140th Annual Convention of Delegates need to meet four eligibility requirements before 4:30 p.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT), April 7.

According to Association bylaws, only eligible voting members can nominate, be nominated, vote or be elected in the annual election of delegates. To participate in the electoral process and other business during the 140th Annual Convention of Delegates, a member must be an eligible voting member and must meet all of the following requirements by 4:30 p.m. CDT April 7:

• Be an active regular or life member (dues paid in full by the deadline stated above).
• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Have registered at least one animal or completed at least $250 of business with the Association or Angus Genetics Inc. within the preceding 12 months from when the nomination period begins.
• Be current with all financial obligations to the American Angus Association and all its subsidiaries when the nomination process begins.

The nomination period for 2023 begins April 10; therefore, the above criteria must be met by the end of the previous business day, Friday, April 7. It’s encouraged to submit all necessary requirements at least three business days prior to April 7 to allow time for processing.

The American Angus Association will mail delegate nomination materials only to active regular and life members who qualify as eligible voting members prior to 4:30 p.m. CDT April 7.

Contact Martha Greer, coordinator of board relations, at 816-383-5100 or mgreer@angus.org with any questions, or reference the complete bylaws of the Association, including the applicable Section 3.6 here.

The 140th Annual Convention of Delegates takes place Monday, Nov. 6, during the National Angus Convention in Orlando, Fla. Online registration for the convention will begin July 1. More information will be available at www.angusconvention.com.