The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) offers many services to its members (such as the newly launched www.beefusa.org website) including producer education. During the Cattle Industry Summer Conference today, I was able to spend some time with To Field, NCBA’s executive director of field eduction to learn more about some of the myriad of resources available. Field said they do …
House Hearing on How GIPSA Hurts Small Business
The last post we did with a lawmaker’s opinion on GIPSA, we got hammered with comments. That was fun – let’s do it again! Last time, it was Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) who had negative comments about USDA’s controversial Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard’s Administration (GIPSA) proposal. This time, it’s Rep. Scott Tipton (R-CO), chairman of the House Small Business …
Grandin Honored by American Meat Science Association
Dr. Temple Grandin was recently awarded the 2011 American Meat Science Association (AMSA) Special Recognition Award at the 64th Annual Reciprocal Meat Conference. Dr. Grandin is a designer of livestock handling facilities and a Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. On her web site, Dr. Temple Grandin describes herself simply as “a designer of livestock handling facilities.” The …
Beef Board Chairman Tom Jones Resigns
The Arkansas producer chairman of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board has resigned for personal reasons, according to the organization. Tom Jones, Pottsville, Ark., tendered his resignation as chairman of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board today. He also notified the Secretary of Agriculture of his resignation as a member of the Beef Board. Jones cited personal and family reasons for his decision, including …
Cattlemen’s Beef Board Loses Tom Ramey
This weekend I learned that Tom Ramey has resigned from the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. Tom has been involved with the CBB for more than 17 years, most recently as CEO. I am shocked and saddened. But knowing at least some of what Tom has been going through as CEO in the last year or so I can understand. As the …
Senate Votes to End Ethanol Blenders Tax Credit
An amendment to end the ethanol blenders tax credit (VEETC) passed the Senate today by 73 to 27, a vote that some agricultural groups applaud while some denounce, while the ethanol industry says it is unlikely to matter. “Today the Senate voted against rural America and domestic, renewable energy, and in favor of more foreign oil,” said National Corn Growers …
GIPSA Funding Cut in Ag Appropriations Bill
The U.S. House of Representatives today voted 217-203 to pass the agricultural appropriations bill for fiscal 2012, cutting $2.7 billion in discretionary spending, including funds for USDA’s proposed Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) regulation. The National Cattlemens Beef Association (NCBA) and the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), both opposed to the proposed rule, are pleased that the appropriations …
Beef Checkoff Kicks Off BBQ Tour
In celebration of summer grilling season, the National Beef Checkoff is hitting the road with the American GrillMaster Experience BBQ Tour. In partnership with Sam’s Club and the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS), the American GrillMaster Experience, a beef BBQ demonstration and educational tour, will include beef grilling demonstrations, product samples, recipes and other checkoff resources designed to educate and …
Monsanto Names 2011 Farmers Mom of the Year
A Wyoming cattlewoman has been named Monsanto’s America’s Farmers Mom of the Year for 2011. Bette Lu Lerwick of Albin was nominated by her daughter, Kosha Olsen, who visited AmericasFarmers.com earlier this spring and submitted a 300-word nomination describing a few of the contributions her mother makes to her family, farm, community and the agricultural industry. She was selected as …
Over Regulation All Across the Nation Blues
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is going creative on all the regulation being faced by farmers today. Maybe we should start a video sensation called, “EPA Regulators Gone Wild.” Now I wonder what kind of video that would generate. How about this one, just released by NCBA? Let’s help it go viral. Share it out via your social media channels! …