This is Jaime Albers, graphic designer for the Angus Journal, with the September 12, 2023, update from the AJ Daily. Today’s update contains tips for tissue-sampling your herd, news from the Beef Checkoff program about plans for the 2024 fiscal year, news about the National Farmers Union’s legislative fly-in, and an announcement naming the American Farm Bureau Federation’s semifinalists in its Ag Innovation Challenge.
Tissue Sampling Tips
Adapted from releases by Angus Genetics Inc. and Sarah Kocher, Angus Communications
Tissue sampling is a simple way to supply high-quality samples for DNA testing your herd. Data gathered from these routine collections allow breeders to make better mating decisions and improve overall herd health. To learn more about how to collect a tissue sample using Allflex, watch this brief video from Angus TV by clicking on the link in the show notes.
Beef Promotion Operating Committee Approves Fiscal Year 2024 Checkoff Plan of Work
Adapted from a release by the Beef Checkoff Program
The Cattlemen’s Beef Board will invest approximately $38 million into programs of beef promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing and producer communications during fiscal year 2024, subject to USDA approval.
In action at the end of its Sept. 6-7 meeting in Denver, Colo., the Beef Promotion Operating Committee approved Checkoff funding for a total of 12 “Authorization Requests” — or grant proposals — for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2023. The committee, which includes 10 producers and importers from the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and 10 producers from the Federation of State Beef Councils, also recommended full Cattlemen’s Beef Board approval of a budget amendment to reflect the split of funding between budget categories affected by their decisions.
For more information, go to beefboard.org or click on the link in this episode’s description.
Farmers Union Kicks Off 2023 Legislative Fly-In
Adapted from a release by Ross Hettervig, National Farmers Union
On Sept. 11 300 Farmers Union members from across the country joined together in Washington DC to advocate for family farmers as part of the National Farmers Union Fall Legislative Fly-In. During the course of the week, National Farmers Union members will attend hundreds of Congressional meetings and meet with fifteen federal agencies.
National Farmers Union President Rob Larew said, “Our legislative fly-in comes at a pivotal time for agriculture and food policy as the 2023 Farm Bill is imminent. We don’t just need a farm bill — we need the right farm bill. We know that when family farmers and ranchers speak out, decision-makers listen.”
For the opening session of Fly-In, National Farmers Union members heard from USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, along with a variety of panels featuring speakers from USDA’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs and Farm Production and Conservation mission areas.
To read more, go to nfu.org.
Top 10 Named in Ag Innovation Challenge
Adapted from a release by the American Farm Bureau Federation
The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is shining a spotlight on startup companies focused on advancing agricultural innovation by naming the top 10 teams in the 2024 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge.
The 10 semifinalist teams are being awarded $10,000 each. They are:
anu, Indiana. Team lead: Scott Massey.
Appanoose Manufactured Products, Iowa. Team lead: Mark Mendick.
Barn Owl Precision Agriculture, Colorado. Team lead: Sarah Hinkley.
Idem Irrigation, Nebraska. Team lead: Phil Holliday.
ReproHealth Technologies, Indiana. Team lead: Jim Donahue.
Secret Garden Bees, North Carolina. Team lead: James Hartman.
Share Farm, Washington. Team lead: Vincent Peak.
Smooth Ag, Texas. Team lead: River McTasney.
UAV-IQ Precision Agriculture, California. Andreas Neuman.
Udder Ways LLC, New York. Team lead: Jody Neal.
For more information, visit fb.org.
The AJ Daily is compiled by Paige Nelson, field editor for theAngus Journal. For more Angus news, visit angusjournal.net.