Blunt Appoints Agriculture Champion to Lead Agency
Katie Smith Named Agriculture Director
Citing her successful record as a champion of Missouri agriculture, Gov. Matt Blunt yesterday, May 2, 2007, appointed Katie Smith of Platte City as the Director of the Department of Agriculture. Mrs. Smith grew up on a family farm in Platte County and has spent her career working to further Missouri agriculture interests and values at the nation's Capitol.

"Katie Smith was raised in the heart of Missouri agriculture and has spent her career working to promote our state's rich agriculture heritage," Blunt said. "Missourians can be pleased with the fact that Mrs. Smith has agreed to take on this important challenge and lead our state's agriculture department. Her experience in Missouri fields, our nation's legislative chambers and the executive branch of government will provide tremendous knowledge, insight and perspective to benefit Missouri agriculture and farm families."

Mrs. Smith has worked in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Department of Energy and served for federal elected officials in both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. Most recently she served as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Department of Energy's Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs. At USDA, she served as Special Assistant to Agriculture Undersecretary Bill Hawks where she represented the department during the 2002 Farm Bill conference negotiations and served as the agriculture representative for the transition of Agriculture border inspectors to the Department of Homeland Security.

She served for four years as the chief policy advisor on agriculture issues for Senator Jim Talent. She has also worked on agriculture issues for Senator Kit Bond and Congressman Sam Graves.

"Agriculture is the cornerstone of our state's economy, and I look forward to the opportunity to build on the successes in Missouri agriculture under Gov. Blunt's leadership," said newly appointed Director of Agriculture Katie Smith. "I look forward to advancing your initiatives for one of the state's largest economic engines by continuing to promote the production and use of ethanol and biodiesel, building on the branded beef initiative and increasing the number of dairies in the state."

Mrs. Smith grew up on a family farm in Platte County where she was engaged in the production of corn, soybean, cattle and tobacco. Mrs. Smith holds her bachelor's in agriculture journalism from the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri - Columbia. Smith and her husband Christopher live in Missouri with their daughter.            - The office of Governor Matt Blunt

Cattle Industry News

Canada Confirms New BSE Case 
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) today confirmed diagnosis of the country’s 10^th case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). No part of the animal entered the human food or animal feed supply. Officials report the BSE-positive animal was a 66-month-old dairy cow from British Columbia that was a similar age to Canada’s other BSE cases. Canada is implementing new feed ban controls in July to further protect against the spread of this disease in cattle. According to today’s announcement, this case was discovered through the country’s ongoing surveillance program, which has tested about 160,000 cattle since 2003. The CFIA announcement is available online at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/newcom/2007/20070502e.shtml or can be found below.

CFIA News Release: BSE Case Confirmed in British Columbia 
OTTAWA, May 2, 2007 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the diagnosis of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in a mature dairy cow from British Columbia. The animal's carcass is under CFIA control, and no part of it entered the human food or animal feed systems.

Preliminary information indicates that the age of the animal (66 months) falls well within the age range of previous cases detected in Canada and is consistent with the recognized average incubation period of the disease. This signifies that the animal was exposed to a very small amount of infective material, most likely during its first year of life.

An epidemiological investigation directed by international guidelines is underway to identify the animal’s herdmates at the time of birth and the pathways by which it might have become infected. All findings will be publicly released once the investigation concludes.

Canada has a suite of robust BSE control measures which exceeds the recommended international standards. Assessment of Canada’s programs by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) has resulted in a recommendation for recognition as a controlled risk country. The OIE categorization process is based on an evaluation of the comprehensive set of risk mitigation measures implemented by a given country.

Canada has taken all necessary measures to achieve the eventual elimination of BSE from the national cattle herd. The enhanced feed ban, which comes into effect on July 12, 2007, will prevent more than 99 percent of potential BSE infectivity from entering the Canadian feed system. The CFIA expects to detect a small number of cases over the next 10 years as Canada progresses towards its goal of eliminating the disease from the national cattle heard.

The British Columbia animal was identified at the farm level by the national surveillance program, which has detected all cases found in Canada. The program targets cattle most at risk and has tested about 160,000 animals since 2003. The surveillance results reflect an extremely low incidence of BSE in Canada.

It is not unexpected to find BSE-infected animals born after the feed ban. This has proven to be the case in most other countries with targeted surveillance programs, similar to that in Canada. - CFIA

E. coli Prevention is Subject of New York Times article
Vaccines for people and for cattle are just two approaches under development to prevent or treat food poisoning by the strain E. coli O157:H7. An article in Wednesday's edition of The New York Times’ health section by Andy Pollack gives credit to packing plants that already have reduced levels of E. coli in beef through carcass washes and other interventions, but points out that scientists can do little to medically fight the pathogen. For more information, follow this link.

Drovers editor Greg Henderson wrote the following commentary after printing the article above:
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association provided significant information to The New York Times for the article. The author was provided numerous E. coli background documents and checkoff-funded research summaries, as well as an interview with NCBA's director of safety research Michelle Rossman. The article also mentions several E. coli interventions that have been researched with Beef Checkoff funding. This is an excellent example of how checkoff dollars spent on food safety research show the industry has taken a proactive role to help reduce a significant food safety concern. — G.H.
                                                                                    - Drovers Alert by Drovers Journal

Ranch Stewardship LIVE Tour coming to Missouri
Event Offers Land & Livestock Stewardship Lessons June 18-19
Ranch Stewardship LIVE, a two-day educational event for everyone connected to land and livestock, comes to the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia, June 18-19.

Nationally known speakers will use horses, cattle and equipment to illustrate stewardship principles in everyday farm and ranch work. Renowned Montana horseman Curt Pate, who makes his living in the cattle business, leads the group of expert speakers for this event.

The first day’s demonstrations include life lessons from livestock, correct administration of vaccines and medications, stockmanship principles horseback, on foot and with an ATV plus practical methods to control weeds/brush.

During day two, sessions focus on live cattle evaluation, marketing, ranch family issues, economic benefits of stewardship practices, ranch horsemanship tips and cattle selection criteria.   

“Those who join us for Ranch Stewardship LIVE will learn how stewardship principles in livestock production can actually increase profits and improve quality of life,” said Todd McCartney, segment host for the new RFD-TV show “Cattlemen to Cattlemen,” who will serve as event moderator.     

Joining McCartney and Curt Pate will be other scheduled national speakers including fourth-generation Texas rancher Kyle Clement, Dr. Ron Gill, Texas A&M Extension Livestock Specialist and Tammy Pate, ranch horse clinician and engaging presenter on ranch family issues.  In addition, sessions will include University of Missouri specialists and other regional industry experts.           

Advance registration is required for the two-day event. The registration fee is $60 per person.  A reduced registration fee of $50 is offered to members of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association and their guests.       

Registration for Ranch Stewardship LIVE closes June 11.  Additional information and online registration is available at www.RanchStewardshipLive.com or call 817-594-9996 from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. CDT.   

Ranch Stewardship LIVE is sponsored by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, American Quarter Horse Association, Farm Progress publications, BioBarrel, Crystalyx and Sweetlix brand supplements.

Registration Open for Beef Improvement Federation Meeting in Colorado
The Rocky Mountains provide the backdrop for the annual meeting and 40th anniversary celebration of the Beef Improvement Federation.  The meeting will be held June 6-9 in Fort Collins, Colo.  It will focus on the future of genetic evaluation and improvement with a variety of presenters from around the country. 

The meeting will kick off with a Colorado Welcome Reception on Wednesday evening, June 6.  The history of Artificial Insemination will be the focus of the National Association of Animal Breeders Symposium that evening as well.

On Thursday, June 7, participants will discuss “Performance Programs at a Crossroads” as speakers talk about the current performance programs’ cost and benefits and gather the audience’s views on the direction for future genetic improvement initiatives.  Awards for the Commercial Producer of the Year will be presented, and committee meetings will be held in the afternoon.

Thursday also has a spouse/family tour slated to Estes Park and the historic Stanley Hotel, plus a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park.  That evening, the group will experience “Foam on the Range” at the Colorado State University Equine Center for an evening of great conversation, a steak dinner, tasting the products of Colorado-produced ale and viewing cattle from area seedstock producers.

Friday focuses on “Challenges to Conventional Wisdom.”  Presenters will lead the discussion on uses of genetics technology and changes seen in the quality grades of cattle. The Seedstock Producer of the Year will be named, and committee meetings will be held that afternoon. Friday evening, attendees can head up to Old Town Fort Collins to enjoy the local restaurants.

Producer tours will visit many Front Range locations throughout the day on Saturday, June 9. Two tours are offered.  The first tour, “Beef Industry Players,” has stops at Kuner Feedlot, Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, Safeway’s Distribution Center and Aristocrat Angus Ranch, as well as lunch with National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Cattle-Fax.  The “Seedstock Alliances” tour features Walter Farms, Inc., Five Star Cattle Systems, Kuner Feedlot and Five Rivers Cattle Feeding.

The BIF Annual Research Symposium and Annual Meeting is hosted by Colorado State University, Colorado Livestock Association, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association and the Beef Improvement Federation.

The meeting will take place at the Hilton Fort Collins.  To register and for program details go to www.beefimprovement.org under the conventions tab.  Pre-registration is due May 15. For information contact Willie Altenburg, 970/568-7792, willie@rmi.net or Mark Enns at 970/491-2722, Mark.Enns@Colostate.edu.                          - Beef Improvement Federation

Angus Enthusiasts Gear Up for the 2007 National Junior Angus Show
May 15 is Ownership and Entry Deadline
Angus youth should plan now for the 2007 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) July 1-7 in Tulsa, Okla. The Oklahoma and Arkansas Angus and junior Angus associations will host “The American Dream.” The weeklong event features the largest single-breed beef cattle show in the world, with more than 1,000 head of cattle exhibited by National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) members ages 9-21 years old.

Youth will compete for top prizes in several divisions within the cattle show, including bred-and-owned heifers, bulls and cow-calf pairs; and owned heifers, cow-calf pairs and steers. The opportunity to enter steers in a carcass division also exists. 

In addition to the cattle show, numerous educational competitions take place during the week. Contests allow the juniors to showcase their skills outside of the showring and include prepared and extemporaneous public speaking, quiz bowl, team sales, team fitting, livestock judging, photography, posters, creative writing, and graphic design. Another feature of the week is the American Angus Auxiliary-sponsored All-American Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) Cook-Off. 

Along with the cattle shows and competitions, a fitting and clipping clinic will be conducted and six members will be elected to the NJAA Board of Directors at the NJAA annual meeting.

Exhibitors and contestants at the NJAS must be NJAA members and be 9 years old, but not yet 21, by Jan. 1, 2007, to compete in the activities. The ownership and entry deadline is May 15, which is earlier than in past years. No late entries are accepted.

For more information about the 2007 NJAS or junior Angus programs, click here to download a story from the May Angus Journal that describes the contests, log on to www.njas.info or www.njaa.info, or contact the Junior Activities Department at 816-383-5100.                              - American Angus Association

Missouri Cattlemen's Update 

MCA Legislative Alert
Next Monday, May 7, 2007, it is likely the Missouri House of Representatives will debate Animal Identification.  Please contact your Representative and ask them to support Representative John Quinn’s amendment on Animal I.D.  This will keep Animal I.D. a voluntary program in the State of Missouri and will not eliminate our MCA QSA-Source and Age Verification program or other value-added producer programs around the state.

Representative John Quinn’s amendment to House Bill 478 reads as follows:
Section A. Chapter 267, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 267.165, to read as follows:
            267.165. 1. The department of agriculture shall not participate in any mandatory animal identification program that may be required under the national animal identification system (NAIS) administered program by the United States Department of Agriculture without specific authorization from the general assembly.
            2. Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the department of agriculture from participating in any voluntary or private animal identification program.

Welcome Summer Intern – Maureen Hamill

For most of us, the word “summer” brings thoughts of warm weather, baling hay, and grilling beef, but for college students, “summer” often means the opportunity for internships. This summer, the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association is pleased to have Maureen Hamill working as a summer intern.

Maureen is a native of Perry, Missouri, and is involved in her family’s cattle and row crop farm. She is wrapping up her sophomore year at the University of Missouri, where she is an Agricultural Economics major with an emphasis in Public Policy. At Mizzou, Maureen is active in Sigma Alpha and CAFNR Student Council and serves on the CAFNR Week Steering Committee. In high school, she was involved in 4-H and FFA. Maureen is the daughter of Eddie Joe and Lucia Hamill and has two older sisters, Erin and Courtney, and a younger brother, Ted.

Maureen will work on a variety of projects this summer, including junior programs, membership, and convention, and will experience the Beef House during the State Fair. Maureen can be reached at intern@mocattle.com. We are excited to have Maureen working for MCA!

Missouri Cattle Industry Headquarters Experiences E-mail Outage
Attention MCA members: If you tried to e-mail the MCA staff last week (from Wednesday through Friday), we may not have received your e-mail.  Due to problems with our e-mail server, our e-mail system was not operating.  If you tried to e-mail us during that time, please re-send the e-mail or give us a call.

2007 Missouri Agribusiness Academy members announced 

Thirty high school sophomores from across Missouri have been selected to participate in the 20th class of the Missouri Agribusiness Academy. Sponsored by the Missouri Department of Agriculture, each year the academy acquaints students with career opportunities available in agriculture and offers them a chance to explore the agribusiness resources in the state. This year, Academy members will tour Springfield area agribusiness operations in June and will be introduced to leaders in agriculture, government and education. Members will also be guests at the 2007 Governor's Conference on Agriculture. A complete list of students and photos are available at http://www.mda.mo.gov/Market/agribusacademy.htm.

-                 Missouri Agribusiness Association (MO-AG)

Missouri Producers Encouraged to Report Crop Damage
Recent unseasonably cold temperatures have taken a toll on Missouri’s spring crops.  Many Missouri producers have suffered crop production losses due to the freezing weather.  Tim Kelley, executive director for Missouri Farm Service Agency (FSA), said there are some actions producers must take immediately to report their crop damage.

“Producers need to contact their local FSA office immediately to report any acres damaged by the weather,” Kelley said.  “It is necessary to report failed acres before disposing of the crop.”

Producers who have their crops insured through a private crop insurance company should contact the insurance agent immediately and advise them of the damaged crops.  Additionally, a CCC-576, Notice of Loss Application, must be completed in person at your local FSA office, and your failed acres reported.

For those crops covered under FSA’s Non-insured Assistance Program (NAP), producers should immediately contact their local FSA office to report the acres and file a Notice of Loss Application.

“Producers with NAP coverage should report their losses within 15 calendar days after the disaster conditions occurred, or damage to the crop became apparent.” Kelley said.

Crops not covered with a private insurance or NAP policy should still be reported to the local FSA office and producers should file a Notice of Loss Application.  This will provide FSA with a historical record of your crop should disaster assistance become available.

For more information about reporting failed acres, contact your local FSA county office or visit www.fsa.usda.gov.                  - FSA

Quick Links
- For beef checkoff news and producer information go to www.missouribeefcouncil.com and www.mobeef.com.  

Calendar of Events
May 8               Polk County Cattlemen – Polk County Fairgrounds, 7:00 p.m.
May 8               Bates County Cattlemen – MO-Kan Livestock Market, Butler, 7:00 p.m.
May 12             Dallas County Cattlemen – Horses of Hope Arena, Buffalo, 11:00 a.m.
May 15             Cass-Jackson Cattlemen – Elk’s Lodge, Harrisonville, 6:30 p.m.
                        For more cattle industry events, visit www.mocattle.com/calendar.htm

The Fine Print
This newsletter is a publication of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association. All rights reserved – this newsletter may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without permission of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association. Did someone forward this message to you? To subscribe yourself, send an email to cattleinfo@mocattle.com.    

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