Join CAB Aug. 21 for a dynamic, bilingual BQA workshop after Feeding Quality Forum

Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification is an easy and effective way to pursue continued education in the cattle business. Cattlemen and women can obtain BQA certification, or renew an expired certification, Aug. 21 at Hy-Plains Feedyard in Montezuma, Kan. Plus, attendees will hear from Jerome Tang, Kansas State University men’s basketball coach, about how it takes every player on a team to win. The workshop is free to attend and will offer simultaneous Spanish interpretation.

Education will be led by veterinarians Bob Smith, Veterinary Research and Consulting Services, and A.J. Tarpoff, Kansas State University Extension. Check-in starts at 1:30 p.m. with opening comments at 2:00 p.m. from Kirsten Nickles of Certified Angus Beef (CAB) and Tom Jones of Hy-Plains Feedyard. Attendees will split into rotations to learn more about herd health, necropsy, cattle handling and other best management practices. The day will end with the BQA exam and comments from Coach Tang.

Stay and celebrate your BQA certification with refreshments and a meet-and-greet with Coach Tang. Attendees will also have a chance to win one of three Certified Angus Beef ^®-inspired giveaways.

The workshop is scheduled after the Feeding Quality Forum event. The feedyard-focused BQA workshop is designed for cow-calf producers, feedyard managers and their employees. Sign-up is encouraged online at feedingqualityforum.com under the BQA Workshop tab. For more details, click here.

Propane Council urges farmers to plan ahead

As harvest season approaches, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is encouraging farmers to prepare by filling propane tanks early. Participating in early tank fill programs ensures a steady fuel supply and offers significant cost savings.

With early tank fill programs, farmers can benefit by securing propane supply ahead of peak demand. Because propane prices are generally lower before the peak harvest season, farmers can lock in lower rates and avoid potential price increases by purchasing fuel early. Filling tanks ahead of the busy season means farmers have uninterrupted energy access and mitigates the risk of fuel shortages during critical times.

“Propane is a crucial energy source for many agricultural operations, especially during the harvest season,” says Mike Newland, director of agriculture business development at PERC. “By filling tanks early, farmers can avoid the high demand rush and benefit from more stable pricing.”

More than 80% of grain dryers in the United States use propane because of its reliability, cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency. Modern propane grain dryers are designed to minimize fuel consumption while maximizing drying performance, helping farmers maintain high crop quality and reduce harvest losses.

PERC offers a range of tools and resources to help farmers optimize their propane use:

• Grain Drying Calculator: This free online tool helps farmers estimate their propane needs for grain drying based on acreage, bushels per acre, and target moisture levels.
• Early Tank Fill Programs: Many propane suppliers offer programs that allow farmers to fill their tanks before the harvest season at reduced rates. Farmers are encouraged to contact their local suppliers for details.
• Propane Farm Incentive Program: Farmers can save even more on propane-powered equipment through PERC's incentive program, which provides rebates for the purchase of qualifying equipment.

Contact your local propane supplier now to discuss early tank fill options and secure fuel supply ahead of the harvest season.

Herbster named national chair for 'Rural Americans for Trump'

Nebraska Agri-businessman Charles Herbster has been selected by former President and current Republican nominee Donald Trump to serve as national chairman for the Rural Americans for Trump Coalition. He previously served as national chairman of the Agricultural and Rural Advisory Committee to President Trump in 2016 and also national chairman of the Farmers and Ranchers Coalition in 2020.

Rogers, Davison join Compass Ag Solutions

Compass Ag Solutions announces the addition of two staff members. Elizabeth Davison joins as Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) Administrative Associate, and Cole Rogers assumes the role of Business and Risk Management Consultant.

Rogers is a sixth-generation rancher, growing up on a cow-calf operation located in northwest Colorado. He graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in ag business, a minor in animal science and a certificate in investment management. His commitment to agriculture led him to join the Compass Ag Solutions team to pursue a career in business and risk management.

Born and raised in Parker, Colo., Davison got involved in the cattle industry through 4-H. She graduated from Colorado State University where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a minor in ag business. She spent time working as the Colorado 4-H program coordinator before joining Compass.

Landis, Baxter join Fera to support product to reduce stress

FERA Diagnostics & Biologicals announces Heath Landis and Jeff Baxter, recognized sales and marketing leaders in the animal health industry, recently joined the company to support adoption of FerAppease^® by veterinarians and their beef and dairy producer clients.

As U.S. national sales director, Landis will lead sales force engagement with distribution partners, veterinarians and their beef and dairy clientele to position use of the product to reduce stress during times of handling, transportation and commingling. With more than 25 years in the animal health industry and previous sales and leadership experience, Landis has built strong relationships with key distributor partners, bovine veterinarians and producers in all segments of the beef and dairy industries. With a solid background in simplifying the understanding of the science behind a product to deliver value to producers, Landis will be instrumental in expanding the adoption of FerAppease to address the health and economic ramifications of stress on cattle that occurs in specific management situations.

Assuming the role of marketing director for FERA, Baxter has 20 years of science-focused marketing experience with multi-national animal health companies and diagnostic startups all focused on the bovine industry. Having global business development experience for building awareness of bovine diagnostic solutions, Baxter has been successful in simplifying the understanding of the science behind products that translate into benefits for customers.

Launched in 2022 by FERA, FerAppease is a synthetic analog of the active ingredient maternal bovine appeasing substance (MBAS), which is secreted by the skin of the mammary gland of lactating animals. The product reduces stress in cattle treated. Use of the product does not require a prescription or a Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD). It has no meat or milk withholding requirements.

FERA Diagnostics & Biologicals is a privately held animal health company based in College Station, Texas. For more information visit www.feraah.com.

Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, Vol. 16, No. 8-A