Cross Diamond Production Sale…donated sale proceeds from the Lot #21 bull, “Cross Diamond 21 Gun Salute,” to All American Beef Battalion (AABB)…Jan 8th @ NWSS in Denver, CO

CLICK HERE for more information

 

 

 

 

Dear RAA Affiliates, Fellow Red Angus Breeders and Breed Enthusiasts,

I wanted to take this opportunity to visit with you about a special opportunity that will be coming up for the Red Angus Community at the NWSS in Denver on Sunday, January 8^th.

Recently during the Cross Diamond Production Sale, Kim and Scott Ford most generously donated all of the proceeds from the Lot #21 bull, “Cross Diamond 21 Gun Salute,” to the All American Beef Battalion (AABB). The AABB performs many activities for our service men and women, but their main focus is to honor them for their sacrifices and dedication by serving them an American “bred and fed” ribeye steak either prior to deployment or upon return from their tour of duty.

The AABB is a non-profit organization that is totally funded from private donations and was a vision of Bill Broadie (a Vietnam Veteran and cattleman) whom many of you have associated with Superior Livestock for years. We “Thank” him for his relentless effort and dedication to this cause. “21 Gun Salute” was purchased by Silver Spur Ranches, Arcadia Land and Cattle Co. and Horsley Red Angus. This group has decided to further the cause by offering “21 Gun Salute” for sale again at the Mile High Classic at the NWSS.

In an effort to make the most of this opportunity to honor our service men and women who make the sacrifice that insures our freedom so that each day we may enjoy the lifestyle of farming and ranching and enable us to feed this great nation and world, I am asking for your support in bidding on “21 Gun Salute”.

The Oklahoma Red Angus Association has stepped up and is donating $500 dollars to the cause. They would like to challenge other affiliates to donate an equal amount to this very worthy and honorable effort. With each $500 donation comes the opportunity to nominate a veteran who is currently in the cattle business (registered or commercial).

It is our intention to pool all donations together and if successful in purchasing  “21 Gun Salute,” then donate the bull back to be awarded to one of the nominated veterans whose name will be drawn from a hat. Breeders or other affiliated businesses may also donate at an equal level and nominate a veteran as well. We already have some breeders and ranchers interested in donating independently to this most noble cause.

For those of you who would still like to donate but not at the challenge level, and still be a noted part of this opportunity, please feel free to contact any of those persons listed on the attached flyer or myself. You will also have access to this flyer that we encourage you to place on your affiliate websites as well as your members’ websites. It is of utmost importance that we “spread the word” and let everyone know about this great and most honorable opportunity to recognize and honor our service men and women.

Thank you and “God Bless our Troops.”

Barry.

Note: Please make all checks payable to:  All American Beef Battalion

Barry C. Horsley, Sr.

Arcadia Land and Cattle Co.

1301 N Gabbart Rd.

Stringtown, Ok. 74569

Office: 580-346-7023

Cell: 918-230-6805

Cell: 580-743-0006

Fax: 580-346-7068

barry.horsley@arcadia-landcattle.com

ASI WEEKLY NEWS for Sheep Industry Leaders for January 6th, 2012

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American Sheep Industry Association; 9785 Maroon Circle, Suite 360; Englewood, CO 80112-2692
Phone: (303) 771-3500 Fax: (303) 771-8200 Writer/Editor: Judy Malone E-mail: judym@sheepusa.org
Web sites: http://www.sheepusa.org and http://www.sheepindustrynews.org

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2012 ASI Convention News

Just two weeks remain until sheep producers will be meeting in Scottsdale, Ariz., for the 2012 American Sheep Industry Association (ASI)/National Lamb Feeders Association (NLFA) Convention. Following are some updates to be aware of:

• Sleeping Rooms – For anyone who does not yet have a sleeping room, we have procured a secondary hotel, The Cottonwoods Resort, which is located less than one mile south of the Plaza. For detailed information on reservations, go to www.sheepusa.org and click on the Scottsdale logo.
• Registration - Please continue to send in those registrations even though the early registration deadline has passed.
• Saturday Lunch Speaker - Greg Casey has been confirmed as the Saturday lunch speaker. Casey was the 34th Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the U.S. Senate and regularly provides political commentary on national radio and television and is often quoted in such publications as The Wall Street Journal. The Washington Post once referred to him as a “Washington all star.” Armed with the ultimate insider’s understanding of Washington’s political machinery, tempered with real-world business experience, Casey has been a principal behind-the-scenes operative in a multitude of campaigns at the local, state and federal level as well as contests for Congressional leadership for more than 30 years. Plan to attend!
• Golf - Spaces are still available for the NLFA golf tournament on Tuesday, Jan. 24. Call NLFA at 503-364-5462 to sign up.
• Emerging Entrepreneurs - A few $200 grants are still available for producers between the age of 25 and 40 who raise sheep and are first-time attendees to the ASI convention. Call Judy at 303-771-3500, ext. 35, if you are interested.

Top 10 Sheep Stories of 2011 

01-06-12 *CCA News* In Memory of Dr Jim Kennedy…Memorial Service Jan 9th in Rocky Ford, CO…

Dr. James Kennedy, DVM Nov 1, 1947 - Dec 31, 2011

November 1, 1947 – December 31, 2011

On behalf of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, we want to express our sincere condolences to the family of Dr. Jim Kennedy.  Jim’s passing comes to Colorado’s beef cattle industry in the form of a great loss and of great contribution.  Jim will be remembered by CCA and its membership for his dedicated service to our industry through advisement, representation and active engagement.

Ernest Hemingway said, “ Every man’s life ends the same way.  It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguishes on men over another.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 9, 2012 at the First Baptist Church in Rocky Ford with pastor Chris Becker officiating.  A graveside and inurnment will follow at 2:30 p.m. at the Syracuse Cemetery in Syracuse, Kansas. Fellers Funeral Home in Syracuse is in charge of arrangements.  Memorial contributions may be made in Kennedy’s name to the First Baptist Church of Rocky Ford, CO 81067 or to any endeavors and organizations he supported through membership: Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories, American Veterinary Medical Association, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, Academy of Veterinary Consultants, American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Association of Extension Veterinarians, American Association of Bovine Practitioners, Association for Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine or the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

Obituary

01-06-12 Donation Boosts Renowned CSU Equine Program

FORT COLLINS - The owners of a premier Western ranch have donated $1.5 million to Colorado State University’s renowned Equine Sciences Program to help advance the program’s excellence as a training ground for students entering the horse industry.

The donation from Art and Catherine Nicholas established the Wagonhound Land and Livestock Chair in Equine Sciences, named for their well-known horse and cattle ranch near Douglas, Wyo.

Jerry Black, who heads CSU’s Equine Sciences Program, holds the new Wagonhound chair. In this position, Black has discretion to use annual proceeds from the invested donation to fulfill a variety of needs that support program development and student learning.

“The CSU Equine Sciences Program is absolutely among the best in the country, and that kind of excellence does not come free. We want to do what we can to maintain a program that benefits us and others in the agricultural community,” Art Nicholas said of endowing the program’s first chair. “It’s gratifying to be able to help.”

01-06-12 *DoW-CO News* BYERS CANYON SHOOTING RANGE CLOSES FOR WINTER

HOT SULPHUR SPRINGS, Colo. - Colorado Parks and Wildlife reminds shooting enthusiast that the Byers Canyon Shooting Range in Hot Sulphur Springs will close Jan. 13 in order to protect wintering elk and deer herds.

The closure provides big game with undisturbed use of the land in and around the range, allowing them to feed freely without expending crucial energy trying to avoid human activity in the area.

“The closures have helped reduce stress to deer and elk during winter, and we appreciate the public’s cooperation in helping increase their survival rates,” said Area Wildlife Manger Lyle Sidener.

Although the area has experienced a mild winter so far this year, cold weather is always difficult for wildlife. Winter conditions typically force deer and elk to lower elevations in search of food, putting them at higher risk for stressful encounters with humans.

Providing undisturbed winter range for animals benefits area residents as well, reducing the number of wintering elk and deer that are forced onto private land in search of safety and food, damaging haystacks and other private agriculture products.

The range will remain closed until deer move toward higher ground in the spring, which typically occurs in early April.

The Byers Canyon Shooting Range, which is owned and operated by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, is very popular with sportsmen, especially prior to and during big game hunting seasons.

01-06-12 *DoW-CO News* DESERT BIGHORNS THRIVING IN WESTERN COLORADO

MONTROSE, Colo. — Transplants of desert bighorn sheep by Colorado Parks and Wildlife have helped to establish a thriving population of the animals in the Dolores River canyon in far western Colorado, biologists from the agency have found.

In 2010 and again in December 2011, wildlife biologists captured and transplanted the desert sheep from an area south of Slickrock to the middle Dolores River canyon about 20 miles to the north near the Paradox Valley. That location was selected because the area provides ideal habitat for the animals and few sheep had been spotted in that location over the past decade.

In 2010, 15 sheep fitted with GPS radio collars were transplanted, on Dec. 17, 2011, 15 more sheep, also fitted with collars, were transplanted. All but one of the animals from the 2010 transplant survived, and one animal returned to the Slickrock area. In addition, several of the transplanted ewes gave birth to lambs which have also survived.

Desert bighorns are native to arid regions of the West. These animals — slightly smaller than the high-country Rocky Mountain bighorns — are well-adapted to desert canyons.

As biologists tracked the sheep transplanted in 2010, they were pleasantly surprised to learn that the newcomers had found a band of desert sheep that were already living in the rugged canyon country.

“What we’ve learned is very encouraging,” said Brad Banulis, terrestrial biologist for Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the Montrose area. “There are more resident sheep in that area than we realized and the transplanted sheep have joined up with the existing herd.”

01-06-12 *CSU Ext News* 2011 Golden Plains Area Agricultural Orders Are Being Taken Now

For more information - CLICK HERE

The 2011 edition of the Golden Plains Area Agricultural Handbook is currently in production and orders are being taken now for your copy.  This publication is a permanent and often used item in many farm, ranch, and agribusiness offices inNortheastern Colorado.  This resource book contains the latest university research for High Plains agriculture inColorado.  Most of the research results presented in the handbook are conducted on local farms and ranches in the area.

Subscribers will find information regarding crop production, water management, crop pathology and weed management information, along with insect control, horticulture, weather, livestock cost of production, and crop cost of production information.  In total, subscribers will find approximately 150 pages of current research information required to make informed decisions for agricultural operations.

Pricing for the handbook is a tiered pricing system for multiple subscriptions and the handbook is available in print copy or CD version.  The CD version has the added benefit of spreadsheet templates and other resources useful in farm and ranch decision making processes.  The deadline for receiving a break on our subscription price is February 15, 2011.  Order forms are available at every Golden Plains Area Extension office or from the web site at http://goldenplains.colostate.edu.  Please send your order to:Washington County Extension Office, 181 Birch,Akron,CO 80721.  Don’t miss out, hurry and get your order in today!

01-06-12 *CDA Recipes* Colorado Beans Can Add Warmth This Winter

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – Each month, the Colorado Department of Agriculture features a different commodity to highlight the variety and quality of products grown, raised or processed in the state. This month, Colorado beans are featured in our Pinto Bean, Vegetable and Tortilla Soup recipe.

Available Now…Beans

Colorado produces a wide range of bean varieties including pinto, light red kidney and black. In 2010, Colorado ranked eighth nationally in dry bean production with 125 million pounds, valued at $30 million. Beans are high in protein and fiber and low in fat, calories and sodium. A diet including beans may reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers. Look for Colorado beans at your local grocery store or at restaurants across the state.

Pinto Bean, Vegetable and Tortilla Soup

Chef Jason K. Morse, C.E.C., 5280 Culinary, LLC

Serves 8

01-06-12 *Monsanto News* $10,000 and $25,000 grants available to Rural School Districts‏…APPLY TODAY

$10,000 and $25,000 grants available to rural school districts through America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education^SM 

ST. LOUIS (Jan. 6, 2012) – Statistics show that the U.S. ranks only 25^th in math scores and 21^st in science compared to 30 industrialized nations. These facts show that education is strongly in need of support. To help, Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of Monsanto Company, is launching America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education℠ to aid rural school districts by providing $10,000 and $25,000 grants in 1,245 counties across 39 states.

“We believe our rural communities are the heart of America,” said Deborah Patterson, Monsanto Fund president. “We want to help strengthen local communities and education systems, especially in the areas of science and/or math. A strong science and math education helps build a foundation for many careers in agriculture, but also will help our students to be more competitive with those in larger cities and other nations.”
America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education gives farmers the opportunity to nominate a public school district in their rural community to compete for a grant. Nominated school district administrators can then submit an application for either a $10,000 or $25,000 grant to support a science and/or math educational program by April 30, 2012. School districts that apply for a $10,000 grant will compete against other school districts that are located in the USDA-appointed Crop Reporting District (CRD); except that CRDs with fewer than five eligible school districts will compete against each other for a single grant. A school district that applies for a $25,000 grant will compete against schools that are located in its state or designated region.

01-06-12 Gov. Hickenlooper announces appointments to the Board of Trustees for Colorado Mesa University

DENVER ­— Friday, Jan. 6, 2012 — Gov. John Hickenlooper today announced appointments to the Board of Trustees for Colorado Mesa University.

The board makes policy for the school and oversees its operation. The appointments must be confirmed by the Colorado Senate. The members appointed for terms expiring Dec. 31, 2015:

·         Joan D. Ringel of Denver, an Unaffiliated.

·         Paula Herzmark of Cherry Hills Village, a Democrat.

 

For more information on Boards and Commissions, visit www.colorado.gov/governor or e-mail boards@state.co.us.

01-06-12 *NCBA Op-Ed* Make 2012 the Year for Permanent Estate Tax Relief…By Kent Bacus, NCBA Manager of Legislative Affairs

If you’re like me, you enjoy watching the History Channel and Discovery Channel. I enjoy learning about other cultures and civilizations and listening to experts discuss how mankind has advanced throughout the years and make predictions on what the future will hold. Lately, a theme has revolved around what will happen on Dec. 21, 2012. Many ancient cultures have predicted that some major, perhaps apocalyptic, event will happen on that day. Perhaps the ancient Mayans were a few days off. For the beef industry, our real concern is what will happen after Dec. 31, 2012.

One of the most important issues facing family farmers and ranchers and small business owners nationwide is the future of the estate tax, more commonly referred to as the death tax. The death tax is one of the leading causes of the breakup of multi-generation family farms and ranches. At the time of the death, farming and ranching families are forced to sell off land, farm equipment, parts of the operation or the entire ranch to pay off tax liabilities on assets that have likely been taxed two or three times over the course of a lifetime. This outdated tax is not a tax on the wealthy. The wealthy can afford accountants and estate planners to help them evade the tax. The death tax hurts family-owned farms and ranches hardest.

READ the NAFB’s National Ag News as heard inside the BARN for January 6th

CLICK HERE to listen to TODAY's BARN Morning Ag News with Brian Allmer...

Sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation

“EPA Focuses on Renewable Fuels Standards”

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing action to identify additional qualifying renewable fuel pathways under the Renewable Fuel Standard Program. This proposed rule describes EPA’s evaluation of biofuels produced from camelina oil, energy cane, giant reed, and napiergrass; it also includes an evaluation of renewable gasoline and renewable gasoline blendstocks, as well as biodiesel from esterification, and clarifies the definition of renewable diesel.

The EPA says we have published a direct final rule that describes our rationale for identifying these additional fuel pathways, including GHG lifecycle analyses, in the “Rules and Regulations” section of this Federal Register because we view this as a noncontroversial action and anticipate no adverse comment. Written comments must be received by February 6, 2012. A request for a public hearing must be received by January 20, 2012.

Part of the proposed rule approves camelina oil as a feedstock under the Renewable Fuel Standard. Anne Steckel, vice president of federal affairs at the National Biodiesel Board, says – we’re pleased to see the EPA recognizing camelina as yet another feedstock that meets the agency’s standards as an Advanced Biofuel. The EPA’s proposal shows that biodiesel produced from camelina oil reduces greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 percent compared with diesel fuel.

**************READ MORE NAFB AG NEWS BELOW******************************

“FDA Moves to Reduce Use of Drugs”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an order that prohibits certain uses of the cephalosporin class of antimicrobial drugs in cattle, swine, chickens and turkeys effective April 5, 2012. FDA says it is taking this action to preserve the effectiveness of these drugs for treating disease in humans. Cephalosporins are commonly used in humans to treat pneumonia as well as to treat skin and soft tissue infections. Alternative drugs are not as effective or have greater side effects.