Meet CSU’s New Animal Science Chair Dr Kevin Pond…See the pictures & video too…

Pictures & video’s courtesy of Sherri Vance of Eckley, guest reporter for the BARN

In August Dr. Kevin Pond began his new position as the Department Chair for Animal Sciences at Colorado State University.  He will be visited Yuma County on September 21^st and met with area livestock producers from the region. The meeting was held @ The Club at  Indian Hills in Yuma.  Livestock producers and those with a livestock interest heard from Dr. Pond and his vision for the Animal Sciences Department , CSU and Colorado’s livestock industry.

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09-21-11 *NCGA News of the Day* One Million Miles of Proof Verify Performance, Quality of Ethanol

Since the February Daytona 500, Americans with questions about ethanol’s performance characteristics have been getting answers at NASCAR races nationwide. Every driver from Dale Jr. to Clint Bowyer, in all three NASCAR racing series has been running on a 15 percent ethanol blend. Today, NASCAR confirmed what millions of viewers have seen by officially announcing mid-level ethanol blends have now demonstrated their high-performance for more than one million driving miles. Considered by most America’s toughest proving grounds, E15 has proven its fuel quality in the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck series by maintaining high levels of performance while consistently providing normal mileage.

“Ethanol is an agricultural success story. It is an American success story. Now, it is a NASCAR success story too,” said Michigan Corn Growers Association President and National Corn Growers Association Ethanol Committee Member Jeff Sandborn as he joined NASCAR to announce the study findings. “Jobs, less air pollution and reduced dependence on oil imports are all good reasons to use more ethanol. But first and foremost, consumers must be comfortable that it will perform well in their car. I can’t imagine a better way to build that consumer confidence than having it track-tested by NASCAR.”

The ‘white paper,’ “One Million Competition Miles on Sunoco Green E15″ report, contains concrete data verifying E15′s qualities as a fuel and substantiating these conclusions. With more than 1.3 million miles accumulated in practice, qualifying and racing laps in NASCAR racing vehicles, the report relies on a broad set of meticulously collected data. With everyone involved in this sport, from crew chiefs to fans, watching engine performance and mileage, no issue with E15 has emerged.

Additionally, drivers and crew chiefs have reported seeing a boost in horsepower related to ethanol because of its higher octane rating.

09-21-11 *NCBA News* Cattle Producers Join in New Dialogue with Consumers Sept 22nd on www.FoodDialouges.com

DENVER (Sept. 21, 2011) – Cattle producers are looking forward to the chance to directly visit with consumer influencers through an interactive event created by the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) this Thursday, Sept. 22. The event, called The Food Dialogues, is a town hall-style discussion that will address questions Americans have about how their food is grown and raised and the long-term impact of the food they’re eating on human health and the planet.

 The Food Dialogues will take place Thursday in Washington, D.C., New York City and locations in the Midwest and California, as well as online, on Facebook and on the www.fooddialogues.comwebsite beginning at 11:30 a.m. EDT. They will include four panel discussions featuring leaders in food, food service, media and policy, along with farmers of all types and business leaders. These panelists will share different viewpoints about the current and future states of food, and how food is grown and raised.

09-21-11 CLA President Encourages Increased Outreach to Inform the Public about Modern Agriculture

MACKINAC ISLAND, MI – CropLife America President and CEO Jay Vroom spoke to attendees of the Michigan Agri-Business Association’s (MABA) Outlook Conference in Mackinac Island, Mich., last week about the role that the crop protection industry plays in meeting rising food demands and the regulatory challenges that stand to impact growers. Vroom praised MABA’s high level of state grassroots activity, and urged the conference attendees to become advocates of modern agriculture in their own communities to strengthen the ties between rural America, consumers and policymakers.

“While the United Nations has predicted that we must double food production by the year 2050 to feed a population that will reach 9 billion, there is little discussion of how modern agriculture is part of the solution. Crop protection products and other innovative practices serve as a means for growers to increase yields for a growing global population while decreasing the amount of land devoted to farming, and conserving water and fuel,” said Vroom. “This lack of dialogue has led to a rift in the public’s understanding of what U.S. farmers do, and ultimately impacts policy all the way to Capitol Hill.”

09-21-11 Beef Checkoff Sets FY2012 Plan of Work

Operating Committee approves 39 proposals for checkoff funding

The Cattlemen’s Beef Board will invest about $39.8 million, from a total budget of about $42.1 million, into programs of beef promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing and producer communications in Fiscal Year 2012, if the recommendation of the Beef Promotion Operating Committee is approved by USDA, following review by the full Beef Board.

In action concluding its two-day meeting in Denver this week, the Operating Committee — including 10 members of the Beef Board and 10 members of the Federation of State Beef Councils — approved checkoff funding for a total of 39 “Authorization Requests,” or proposals for checkoff funding in the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2011. The committee also will request full Board approval of a budget amendment to reflect the recategorization of the FY2012 budget in accordance with the programs approved.

09-21-11 *Alltech News* PRRS, Profitability, and Production Outlook Explored at Alltech’s 3rd International Forum on Pork Production

[Lexington, KY] – In an ongoing tribute to pig nutrition pioneer Dr. Des Cole, Alltech hosted its 3^rd International Forum on Pork Production in Lexington, Ky., from September 14-16. This year’s forum featured discussions on Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), overcoming the profitability squeeze, and a global outlook on the pork industry.

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS)

Expected to drain the US pork industry alone of more than a billion dollars overall in 2011, PRRS requires major attention for the preservation of pork production. According to estimates from the 2011 Pork Checkoff Report, PRRS accounts for 45% of costs in a breeding herd and 55% of costs in a growing herd this year. Between production losses and veterinary/biosecurity costs, PRRS results in a total cost for a producer of approximately $198/sow/year.

09-21-11 Make Online Reservations Now for Cowboy Crossings…Oct 14-15th in Oklahoma City

CLICK HERE for more information

CLICK HERE for more information

Featuring the Cowboy Artists of America 46^th Annual Exhibition and Sale and the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association 13th Annual Exhibition, Sale and Seminar

In one of the most significant happenings to hit the world of fine art, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum hosts a kick-off event and sale for two outstanding exhibitions. TCAA showcases the best of saddlemaking, bit and spur making, silversmithing and rawhide braiding, while the CAA features art from two dozen members who celebrate the West through painting, drawing and sculpture.

Reservations are requested for most activities, and they can be made online now. Invitations will mail to Museum members in September. Reservationist can be reached at (405) 478-2250, Ext. 219.

Check back soon for the online catalog, proxy bidding information and more schedule details.

These exhibitions and sales continue through:
Cowboy Artists of America 46^th Annual Exhibition and Sale
November 27, 2011

Traditional Cowboy Arts Association 13th Annual Exhibition and Sale
January 8, 2012

09-21-11 *GENC Monthly* How to Feed a Severely Neglected Rescued Horse…with Dr. Juliet M. Getty, PhD.

CLICK HERE to visit the GENC webpage & archives inside the BARN

Getty Equine Nutrition Corner Inside the BARN…with Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D.

September’s Topic: “How to Feed a Severely Neglected Rescued Horse” – CLICK HERE to listen to the interview

Horses are rescued year-round, but when cold weather is over the horizon, the concern for an underweight horse plays on our heartstrings.

Saving a horse that is in desperate need of care, and nursing him back to health, can be one of the most gratifying experiences a horse owner can have.

Proceed slowly and with caution…

• giving his body a chance to adjust to change with each step
• Some horses are in such poor condition they are unable to eat.
• The microbial population needs to be built up to a normal level

Recommendation for an 1100 lb horse (his normal weight):

09-21-11 Dickinson, N.D., livestock market to host 14 auctioneers battling for spot in 2012 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship

DICKINSON, N.D. – Qualifying for the “Super Bowl” of their profession, the 2012 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC), is the goal of 14 livestock auctioneers competing here Oct. 20.

The Stockmen’s Livestock Exchange is hosting the auctioneers in the second qualifying contest for the 2012 WLAC, which will be held next June in Turlock, Calif.

The contest here is free and open to the public. Stockmen’s is located at 815 Livestock Lane.

Market president and manager Larry Schnell said the opening ceremonies will start at 9 a.m. (MT) with the contest immediately following.

Following the competition here, and at the other three qualifying contests, three winners – champion, reserve and runner-up champions – will be named.

09-21-11 Colorado Agricultural Export Growth Continues

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – Colorado’s agricultural exports increased 20 percent to $718 million in the first seven months of 2011 over last year’s exports, lead by increases in beef, hides, dairy and grains.

“Agricultural exports continue to play an important part in our state’s economic recovery,” said Commissioner of Agriculture John Salazar.  “So far this year, we have seen an additional $118 million from the ag export sector and that is directly attributed to our producers and benefits the entire state.”

Colorado’s top three agricultural commodities lead growth:

Colorado Product	Exports Increase	Total Export Value
Edible Beef	21%	$389.9 million
Hides	20%	$131 million
Dairy	51%	$28 million

Colorado exports of edible beef grew over all with mixed results for top markets in the first seven months of 2011:

09-21-11 *Beef Checkoff News* On the Ranch – Work Days

It’s a long established trend – the number of Americans who have a connection to…or an understanding of how their food is grown has dwindled. That’s why the beef checkoff is working to inform consumers about how beef is produced.  A new effort to tell the beef story took place recently.

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The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.

09-21-11 Bill Kurtis to Keynote Third Annual Meat Industry Hall of Fame‏ November 1st

The Meat Industry Hall of Fame is delighted to announce that Bill Kurtis, an acclaimed documentary host and producer, network and major market news anchor, and multimedia production company president, will return as the Keynote speaker for the third annual induction ceremony and dinner at the Union League Club of Chicago on November 1.  Kurtis was the keynote speaker at the inaugural ceremony in 2009.

Kurtis began his television career at WIBW-TV (CBS) in Topeka, Kansas. In 1966, after being recognized for his 24-hour coverage of a devastating tornado, Kurtis was hired by WBBM-TV in Chicago where he was a field reporter and later anchor of The Channel Two News. Kurtis moved on to the network level at CBS where he anchored the CBS Morning News and contributed to CBS Reports.

09-21-11 Cattlemen’s Beef Board Hires Polly Ruhland as CEO

Polly Ruhland is the new Chief Executive Officer of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, as hired today by the Beef Board Executive Committee.

Ruhland has been serving as the interim CEO since June 28, and the chairman of the Executive Committee in charge of hiring her said she more than proved herself in her three months in that position.

“Polly was the right choice for this checkoff, and for this industry,” said Weldon Wynn, Executive Committee chairman and Beef Board vice chairman. “She has a powerful passion for the checkoff and for the beef industry, and she has absolutely proven in the last three months that she can run this operation astutely. She has an excellent rapport with staff and our contractors, and I don’t think we could have found anyone at this time who could have done the job as well as she is doing it.

“I think producers across America will certainly be satisfied with the results Polly achieves,” Wynn continued. “And I feel honored to have been serving as the chairman of the committee that hired her.”

Beef Board Chairman Wesley Grau echoed Wynn’s sentiments.

“Polly brings a breath of fresh air to the CBB,” Grau said. “More importantly, her knowledge of the checkoff and our contractors allows us to move forward with much needed improvements to the checkoff. “Her demeanor is beyond reproach,” he continued. “Her knowledge is beyond reproach. And her willingness and ability to get things done is second to none. As chairman of the Beef Board, I am very pleased that Polly has accepted this position.”

Polly joined the Beef Board team as director of evaluation in early 2010. Her previous 20-plus years in the beef industry most recently included six years with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), working in the areas of issues management, membership and communications. Prior to NCBA, she served as communication director for the North American Limousin Foundation (NALF), was compliance coordinator for the institutional animal care and use committee at Colorado State University, and was director of communications for the American Gelbvieh Association.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from University of Colorado and a master’s degree in agriculture, with an emphasis in beef industry leadership, from Colorado State University. Polly has one son, Ryan, and lives in Denver with her husband, Randy.