Livestock Briefs - PRRS/PEDv Rule hearings set

WASHINGTON

Cattleman testifies before U.S. legislators

Tim White, a cattle producer from Lexington, KY, testified before the House Small Business Committee’s Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy, and Trade regarding the future of America’s small family farms.

In his testimony, White called on Congress to address the overly burdensome regulatory environment that is hampering rural America, repeal the federal estate tax, and to ensure the 2018 Farm Bill works for America’s cattle producers.

White said that as a small business owner, one of the biggest concerns he faces is over-regulation. EPA’s “waters of the United States” he said is a prime example of overregulation that would subject farmers and ranchers to unnecessary and costly permitting process.

White also called for the repeal of the federal estate tax, which is a leading cause of the breakup of multi-generational family farms.

LEXINGTON, KY

Conference to reinvigorate production practices, solutions

ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference (ONE17), held May 21–24 in Lexington, KY, and will bring together industry experts from across the globe to share insights and solutions to today’s most pressing issues within agriculture.

To provide an opportunity for every corner of production agriculture to engage in disruption, ONE17 will include various tracks, including a focus session specifically dedicated to beef production. From case studies on increasing carcass weight to profitable feeding strategies, ONE17 will give beef producers real-life solutions.

For more information visit: one.alltech.com/beef. Register before April 1 to save $300.

KANSAS CITY, MO

Norsten Joins CHB Staff

Tim Norsten, St. Paul, MN, joined the Certified Hereford Beef staff March 6 as the Midwest regional brand manager. He will work with clients in the Midwest region to expand the availability of CHB products and promote the CHB brand.

Norsten joins the team with extensive retail and foodservice experience, spending 20 years at Sysco Foods, and as a COP specialist with Hereford beef and a business review chef. Norsten's territory will include ND, SD, NE, MN, WI, IA, IL and MI.

MADISON, WI

PRRS/PEDv Rule hearings set

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection will hold two public hearings on the proposed rule that would require testing for PRRS and PEDv for most swine movements into and within Wisconsin. The hearing dates and locations are as follows: April 5, 5-6 pm, Dodgeville Middle School Cafeteria, 951 W. Chapel St., Dodgeville, and April 12, 5-6 pm, MPTC, Room O-103, 235 N. National Ave, Fond du Lac.

Written public comments can also be submitted by April 21.  Comments may be sent to the Division of Animal Health, WDATCP, PO Box 8911, Madison, WI 53708-8911. They can also be sent to Loretta.Slauson@wisconsin.gov.

MADISON, WI

UW Madison Saddle and Sirloin Club offers scholarships

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Saddle & Sirloin Club is again offering the Saddle and Sirloin Club Swine Project Awards. Up to five awards of $100 each will be awarded to first or second year swine project members.

The Swine Project Awards were introduced to help beginning 4-H or FFA members get started in the swine industry.

To be eligible, an applicant must be a first or second year swine project member, 9-18 years old, and a Wisconsin resident. The awards may be used for any expenses related to the recipient’s swine project including the cost of pigs, feed, supplies, equipment, and facility maintenance.

All applications must be postmarked on or before Friday, April 22, 2017.

BATON ROUGE, LA

Angus Juniors ‘Raise the Bar’ in Louisiana

Angus juniors have the opportunity to travel the country with the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) and learn from knowledgeable experts in the beef cattle business. Most recently, NJAA members met March 2-5 in Baton Rouge, La., to participate in a Raising the Bar conference.

The conference hosted 21 Angus junior leaders from 12 state junior Angus associations. Participants toured the Louisiana State University (LSU) campus, heard from industry experts, took part in leadership-training workshops and spent an evening watching a movie.

The group also made stops at these three Angus operations: Continental Genetics, 12 Star Ranch and K Bar Ranch. Raising the Bar participants were able to experience Cajun culture and what it’s like raising Angus cattle in the southern state.

While at LSU, juniors were able to tour the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, the College of Agriculture and a campus tour. Henry Hebert, manager of recruitment, helped to organize the tours and share a little glimpse into LSU academics. The juniors ended the campus trip with a tasty ice-cream treat at the LSU Dairy Store.