This is Heather Lassen, editorial proofreader, with the September 23, 2022, update from the AJ Daily. Today’s update contains a story about the resiliency of two Angus juniors following the four-county wildfire in Kansas last December, comments from the NCBA about the cattle contracts library pilot program notice to trade, an announcement from the American Farm Bureau Federation about one of its leaders having been selected to join the CFTC Agricultural Advisory Committee, and comments from the NCBA urging the Senate to confirm key USDA nominees.
Nature’s Will
Adapted from an article by Faye Smith, Angus Journal
The rolling hills of dry prairie grasses blew in the winter wind while a perfect western Kansas sunset painted the sky orange and deep blue. It was a cool evening as ranchers fed and checked cattle.
This moment, however, was quickly ruined by nature’s will.
The “Four County Wildfire” left miles of the Russell, Ellis, Osborne and Rooks counties in Kansas as scorched earth. A fire that began Dec. 15, 2021, with an electrical spark took off due to dry conditions and 70-mph sustained winds.
What once was a paradise for ranchers now sat a burned livelihood. Two National Junior Angus Association members of Paradise, Kan., recall the tragedy and the months that followed.
To read more, visit angusjournal.net.
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Statement on Cattle Contracts Library Pilot Program Notice to Trade
Adapted from a release by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association released the following in response to a Notice to Trade published Sept. 22 by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service related to the Cattle Contracts Library pilot program:
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane said, “The Cattle Contracts Library is designed to be a tool for cattle producers, making information accessible which may in turn allow them to capture unrealized value for their livestock. We are pleased to see the pilot program progressing and note the important decision to use the Livestock Mandatory Reporting statutes as a basis for any subsequent rulemakings.”
For more information, go to ncba.org.
Farm Bureau Leader Selected to Advise Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Adapted from a release by the American Farm Bureau Federation
The American Farm Bureau and Farm Bureau members across the country will have a seat at the table advising the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission with the appointment of Nebraska Farm Bureau President Mark McHargue to serve on the Agricultural Advisory Committee.
In this role, McHargue will help facilitate communication between the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the agricultural community, including Farm Bureau members and leaders. He will also provide insight and recommendations to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall says, “Mark McHargue will join the CFTC Agricultural Advisory Committee at an important time. His experience with both farming and financial services makes him well suited to advise on issues facing agriculture including climate, sustainability and cryptocurrency.”
For more information, visit fb.org.
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Urges Senate to Confirm Key USDA Nominees
Adapted from a release by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
On Sept. 22, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association urged the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry to confirm key nominees for Under Secretary for Food Safety and Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs in the USDA.
Ethan Lane said, “Cattle producers need strong, stable leadership in top positions at USDA, and we urge the Senate to move quickly on confirming these highly qualified nominees.”
For the position of Under Secretary for Food Safety, the President nominated Jose Emilio Esteban, who currently serves in USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.
NCBA Director of Animal Health and Food Safety Policy Chase DeCoite said, “NCBA has worked closely with Dr. Jose Emilio Esteban in his role as Chief Scientist of USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and as Chair of the Codex Alimentarius Commission Committee on Food Hygiene.”
To read more, go to ncba.org.
The AJ Daily is compiled by Paige Nelson, field editor for theAngus Journal. For more Angus news, visit angusjournal.net.