Tennessee Cattlemen's Association - News

Obama Administration Pulls On-Farm Youth Labor Rule

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:39:37 -0600

WASHINGTON (April 27, 2012) – Citing concerns raised in “thousands of comments,” the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced yesterday evening, April 26, 2012, it will withdraw its proposed rule regarding youth in agriculture. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President J.D. Alexander commended the administration’s action and said farmers and ranchers made their voices heard on the proposed rule, which could
have restricted, and in some instances totally prevented, America’s youth from working on farms and ranches.

“This is a victory for farm and ranch families throughout the country. This ridiculous
rule would have prevented the next generation of farmers and ranchers from
acquiring skills and passion for this very noble profession. It also would have
restricted urban kids from working on farms and acquiring a solid worth ethic
and enthusiasm for this very diverse industry,” said Alexander. “We absolutely
have to have a sensible regulatory environment in Washington, D.C. We should
not have to worry about negligent rules being promulgated by out-of-touch
regulatory agencies. We encourage the administration to venture off the city
sidewalks and learn more about where their food comes from.”

Alexander said this is not the first time the administration has
proposed rules impacting agriculture before fully evaluating the consequences of
the regulations. He said agency officials should reach out to farmers and
ranchers prior to proposing a rule that could jeopardize the future of their
profession.

“Rather than strapping our hands behind our backs and preventing American youth from
learning the ropes of food and fiber production from today’s farmers and
ranchers, the administration should work with farmers and ranchers to ensure
the rules on the books are workable,” Alexander said. “Rules and regulations,
including those related to America’s youth working on farms and ranches, need
to ensure safe working conditions. But the original proposal simply went too
far. Cattlemen’s voices were heard.”

Alexander said the administration’s action to withdraw the rule showcases the importance
of farm and ranch families being engaged in decisions being made inside the
Beltway. He said NCBA will work with the beef community, regulatory agencies and
policymakers to ensure a similar rule does not resurface in the
future.

NCBA Statement on USDA Announcement Regarding Positive BSE Test Result

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:16:07 -0600

WASHINGTON (April 24, 2012) – National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Cattle Health and Well-being Committee Chairman Tom Talbot issued the following
statement regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) confirmation of an
atypical case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy
(BSE) in a dairy cow in central California.

“USDA confirmed this afternoon a positive test result as part of its targeted
surveillance program to test cattle for BSE. USDA has confirmed this dairy
animal was discovered at a rendering facility and was never presented for human
consumption and poses zero risk to human health. The bottom line remains the
same – all U.S. beef is safe.

“America’s cattle producers’ top priority is raising healthy cattle. As such, the U.S.
beef community has collaborated with and worked with animal health experts and
government to put in place multiple interlocking safeguards over the past two
decades to prevent BSE from taking hold in the United States. This effort was
recognized in May 2007 when the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the
leading international body for animal health, formally classified the United
States as a controlled risk country for BSE. The controlled risk classification
recognizes that U.S. regulatory controls are effective and that U.S fresh beef
and beef products from cattle of all ages are safe and can be safely traded due
to our interlocking safeguards.

“USDA’s ongoing BSE surveillance program tests approximately 40,000 high-risk cattle
annually, bringing the total of tested animals to more than 1 million since the
program began. BSE is fast approaching eradication worldwide. According to
USDA, there were only 29 cases of BSE worldwide in 2011, which is a 99 percent
reduction since the peak in 1992 of more than 37,300 cases.

“We commend USDA and animal health experts for effectively identifying and
eliminating the potential risks associated with BSE.”

Farm Credit contributes to Tennessee FFA Camp Clements

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 08:50:18 -0600

TN Beef Promotion Program Information

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 10:19:09 -0600

Click below to find the latest information
http://www.tn.gov/agriculture/marketing/tnbeefreferendum.shtml

TAEP Deadline Approaching

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 09:34:25 -0600

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture has released the 2012 application for the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program. Applications must be postmarked or hand delivered June 1 –7. can be submitted June 1-7 but should not be postmarked prior to June 1.

An important change for this year is that requests for funding will now be approved based on applicant determined priorities instead of on a first come, first serve basis.

“Governor Haslam recognizes the importance of the Ag Enhancement program and has again proposed full funding of the program,” Agriculture Commissioner Julius Johnson said. “This year, we’re putting more emphasis
on helping farmers make strategic investments by asking them to prioritize their farm projects. This will help us reach more farmers and help us to be more deliberate about which projects get funded. ”

Through TAEP, farmers can qualify for 35 or 50 percent cost share, ranging from a
maximum of $1,200 to $15,000 depending on the project. This year’s program will again offer cost sharing opportunities for livestock equipment, hay storage, feed storage, grain storage, producer diversification
opportunities and genetics.

Applications are available at most farm agencies including USDA Farm Service Agency, UT Extension and Farm Bureau offices, as well as most farm supply stores.

To ensure accuracy, producers are encouraged to work with their local extension agent or local TDA representative when completing the application.

Producers can get important messages and updates on the program by calling 1-800-342-8206. For more information or to download an application, visit www.TN.gov/taep.

"Pink Slime Q & A"

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 09:27:09 -0600

Go to http://beefisbeef.com/ for information about "Pink Slime"

Ag Scholarship Available- Due May 15th

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:16:44 -0600

ag_club_scholarship_12.pdf
File Size:	26 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Live from Nashville: 2012 Cattle Industry Convention Video Highlights

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:37:41 -0600

http://www.beefusa.org/conventionupdates.aspx?bcpid=1416289889001&bckey=AQ~~,AAAADXbYiEk~,dCw7R8wGKNCW4lBxbsbifmjrgwMOIscm&bclid=1416253533001&bctid=1429857454001

Donate $1 to Heifer International with a Click

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:22:42 -0600

Beef Industry Helps Fight World Hunger at Cattle
Industry Convention
Elanco partners with Heifer International to help
raise up to $20,000

NASHVILLE,
Tenn. (Feb. 1, 2012) ― Today, Heifer
International and Elanco Animal Health announced a new initiative for their
ongoing partnership to end hunger in conjunction with the 2012 Cattle Industry
Convention. Beef producers attending the convention in Nashville and throughout
the nation can support Elanco’s donation of up to $20,000 to Heifer
International by simply visiting www.heifer.org/Elancopartnership. Elanco will donate $1 to Heifer International for every
unique visit to this landing page through March 2012.

“This is a great opportunity for
producers to make a difference with a single click,” said Ted McKinney, Elanco
director of public affairs. “The ultimate goal is to further Heifer
International’s impact and celebrate the role beef producers play in working
toward a world without hunger through the use of production-efficiency
technologies.”

Producing beef efficiently means
more people everywhere can have access to safe, affordable food, and the widest
variety of food choices. For years, beef producers have used
production-efficiency technologies to increase the amount of beef available by
producing more with less. Now they can help make a donation with their clicks
and by visiting the Elanco trade show exhibit, booth 442, at the convention for
more information.

A partnership to end hunger
Since 2008,
Elanco and Heifer International have worked together to help provide a better
life ― for animals and people. The partnership has already helped more than
6,500 families and is on its way to fulfilling the commitment of helping 100,000
families globally.

“Today, through initiatives like
this one, millions of people who once were hungry now are nourished by milk,
meat, eggs and fresh vegetables,” said Marleen New, director of Heifer
International corporate and foundation relations. “This new initiative is an
exciting way for the beef industry, Elanco and Heifer International to partner
in making a big difference in the fight against hunger.”

Together, Heifer International
and Elanco have identified small communities in emerging countries that could
substantially benefit from the gift of an animal, as well as training in animal
husbandry and other production practices. In recent years, Elanco and Heifer
International have focused their efforts in the Lampung province in Indonesia,
the Copperbelt in Zambia and the Hebei province in China.

“We’re counting on the beef
industry to help us make this donation of $20,000 possible,” said McKinney.
“Every additional click puts us one dollar closer to helping these communities
overcome hunger.”

About Heifer International
Heifer’s mission is
to end hunger and poverty while caring for the earth. Since 1944, Heifer
International has provided livestock and environmentally sound agricultural
training to improve the lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources
of food and income. Heifer is currently working in 40 countries, including the
United States, to help families and communities become more self-reliant. For
more information, visit www.heifer.orgor call 800-696-1918.

About Elanco
Elanco is a global innovation-driven company that develops and
markets products to improve animal health and food animal production in more
than 75 countries. Elanco employs more than 2,500 people worldwide, with offices
in more than 40 countries, and is a division of Eli Lilly and Company, a leading
global pharmaceutical corporation. Additional information about Elanco is
available atwww.elanco.com.

See TCA on Cattlemen to Cattlemen

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:38:58 -0600

http://bcove.me/vrwaup0y