Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Cooking to be Healthy and Wealthy


It’s back — the 2013 National Beef Cook-Off. And we’re calling on home cooks to get the creative juices flowing.

This year’s contest theme is “Making the Most of MyPlate*,” which will encourage delicious, healthy recipes from a variety of food groups. Entrants are asked to develop original and tasty beef-focused recipes that include broadly appealing ingredients from the fruit and vegetable, grain products and dairy products groups.

The contest runs from Jan. 15 to April 15, 2013. Home cooks can submit their best beef recipes online at www.beefcookoff.org for a chance to win $25,000 and a trip to the Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show in Washington, D.C.

*The MyPlate initiative is led by the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion and is designed to help consumers make better food choices.


Wednesday, January 16, 2013

BQA Update

59 people attended the BQA meeting last night in Freeport! If you haven't had a chance to attend a BQA training and certification it's not too late. Mark your calendar for Thursday, Jan. 24, at 6 p.m. 
for the BQA meeting in Greenville, Ill., to be held at Cunetto's Restaurant hosted by Greenville Livestock Auction, Inc.



Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Impressive Speaker Line-up

    
NCBA Announces Impressive Speaker Lineup for 2013 Cattle Industry Convention
 
DENVER (Jan. 15, 2013) —The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is pleased to announce the lineup of speakers for the 2013 Cattle Industry Convention in Tampa, Fla. Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy will officially kick off the convention with keynote remarks during the General Opening Session, scheduled for Feb. 6 at 3 p.m. and sponsored by Boehringher Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. The Tuohys’ life was first chronicled in the bestselling book, The Blind Side which went on to become a Hollywood blockbuster film. The Blind Side tells the story of Michael Oher, a homeless teenager turned first round draft pick NFL football player, with the support and love of an unlikely adoptive family, the Tuohys.

Three years after The Blind Side burst onto the scene, breaking box office records and inspiring individuals nationwide, the Tuohys continue to make an impact. In July 2010, they released the New York Times best-selling book In a Heartbeat: Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving, and established their charity, the Making It Happen Foundation which promotes awareness, provides hope and improves standards of living for all the children fighting to survive in the invisible cracks in society.

General Session II, sponsored by Bayer Animal Health, takes place Feb. 7 at 9 a.m. and features Stuart Varney, host of “Varney & Company” on FOX Business Channel. Veteran business and financial journalist Varney will offer a positive take on the economy and will discuss the current financial situation and what it means for you, your family and your business. In this age of uncharted economic territory Varney shares his most pivotal reminder:  America, and only America, has the flexibility and confidence to lead the world out of this crisis and come out stronger than ever.

Varney appears regularly on FOX News Channel with Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly and Megyn Kelly. An economist trained at the London School of Economics, Varney offers his wide-ranging and sophisticated expertise, evaluating political administrations and their effects on the economy.

“Convention attendees can expect educational, inspirational speeches from each of our keynote speakers,” said NCBA President J.D. Alexander. “We are thrilled to have the Tuohy family and Stuart Varney join us in Tampa to help set the tone for a productive and engaging week ahead.”

For more information on the 2013 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, visit www.beefusa.org


Friday, January 11, 2013

ADT - What does it mean to me?


Many cattlemen in Illinois are reading or hearing about the recently announced final United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) rule for Animal Disease Traceability (ADT). At the suggestion of the IBA board, provided below are some points of information concerning the rule and what it means to Illinois beef producers.

 This is a federal rule regarding interstate movement of livestock; particularly beef cattle over 18 months of age. This is not National Animal Identification System (NAIS), so the vocabulary we’ve all acquired relating to NAIS over the last 10 years is mostly no longer in use.

·         ADT essentially requires cattle moved across state lines to be officially identified and accompanied by a health certificate. If a state you’re shipping cattle into requires or accepts something different; those differences will be determined by that state.

·         States can decide that they’ll accept registration papers and tattoos or brands as official identification if they so choose.

·         Beef cattle under 18 months of age (feeder calves) are exempt from this rule, but will be addressed under a separate rule later. We expect this later date to be more than two years away.

·         Cattle moved directly to slaughter are exempt from this rule.

·         USDA has provided a long description of what methods constitute official identification and approved ear tags. Brucellosis vaccination or “brite” tags are approved ear tags.

·         Beef cattle moved across state lines for shows, rodeos, or exhibits are subject to the rule. Note that many of these cattle already comply with the requirement of official ID and an accompanying health certificate.

IBA will continue to monitor the evolving discussions surrounding ADT and will make relevant information available to members. If you’d like to read the USDA’s official information on the program visit www.aphis.usda.gov/traceability/

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Beef Sire Selection and Management Seminar scheduled for Feb. 6


Just as cattle prices signaled the cow/calf sector to stabilize and think about expansion, two consecutive years of drought have forced cow numbers lower and lower. Consequently, cow numbers are at record lows. If rainfall allows, demand for breeding stock will likely skyrocket as producer re-stock once drought-stricken pastures. Travis Meteer University of Illinois (U of I) Beef Extension Educator said the current industry dynamic is set up for the cow/calf producer to see increased profit potential due to strong demand for breeding stock as well as feeder calves.

“Genetics will play a big role in determining to what extent producers can take advantage of this scenario,” Meteer said. “Selecting the right genetics and buying the correct bull will affect the level of premiums received for cattle. Understanding the traits that will best fit the market in years to come could position a cattleman to see large profits.”

Producers will have the opportunity to attend the annual Beef Sire Selection and Management Seminar held at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Ill, on Feb. 6. The meeting will start at 4:45 p.m. and conclude at 8 p.m. This meeting will be in in Menard Hall room 2207, which is on the second floor.

Meteer will discuss the management of yearling bulls and give an update on the Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale. Dr. Dan Shike, U of I Assistant Professor of Animal Sciences, will cover physical trait selection and incorporating EPDs into bull selection. Mark Wellman, Vita-Ferm, will speak about the advantages of a breeding season focused mineral program. Jerry Cassady, regional field representative for the American Angus Association, will discuss new sire selection tools and Kevin Devore, ABS, will discuss future trends in the beef industry.

“The program covers important information that producers can directly implement and turn into dollars in their pocket,” Meteer said.

Come join fellow cattlemen in Springfield, Ill., and equip yourself with the knowledge and management strategies to increase profits. Pre-registration is suggested for the meeting and cost of the meeting is $15, payable at the door. Please RSVP to Travis Meteer by calling (217) 823-1340 or email wmeteer@gmail.com by Feb. 1, 2013. Meeting details are available at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/oardc