This month’s “News & Notes” contains items including our 2025 Angus Beef Bulletin readership survey, changes to Canadian leadership, an updated Beef Quality Assurance manual, the Beagle Brigade Act, temporary relief from the Corporate Transparency Act, the first H5N1 human death, and information about applying to the 1890 National Scholars Program.

Please take our readership survey

The beef industry is constantly changing, but maybe more so now than ever as cattlemen contemplate rebuilding herds in the wake of higher calf prices and another generation looks to come back to the industry. That makes it all the more important to reach out and get your input.

Please take a moment to fill out the full “2025 Angus Beef Bulletin Readership Survey” online. Two verified subscribers who respond by March 15 will be selected to receive a check for $250.

Upheaval in Canadian government

Major media outlets, including CNN and Fox, have announced Justin Trudeau will step down as prime minister of Canada, effective once a new ruling party leader is chosen. Canada’s parliament will be suspended until that time.

Updated Beef Quality Assurance National Manual now available

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, announces the release of the updated Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) National Manual, which serves as a resource for science-based cattle production information.

“BQA empowers beef producers to maximize their potential to make the most efficient and responsible use of natural resources by effectively producing one of the world’s most nutritious and flavorful sources of protein,” said Clay Mathis, Texas A&M University and BQA Advisory Group chair. “This manual helps drive improvement across the supply chain through adherence to best management practices.”

The goal of the publication is to provide technical information to help producers raise high-quality cattle resulting in the wholesome beef that consumers demand. It was developed to set production standards for beef quality and safety that are appropriate to an operation and that producers can realistically meet or exceed. In addition to the publication’s availability online, the resource is also shared at the grassroots level through BQA state coordinators.

An abbreviated “Field Guide” version of the manual will be updated and available for cattle producers and on-farm/ranch workers in summer 2025. For more information, and to view the updated National Beef Quality Assurance Manual, visit www.bqa.org/resources/manuals.

Beagle Brigade Act signed into law

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) commended President Biden for signing into law the Beagle Brigade Act, which provides statutory authority and reliable funding to the National Detector Dog Training Center.

“Pork producers employ a variety of biosecurity measures to keep foreign animal diseases, like African swine fever, out of our herds. Further away at our nation’s ports of entry, the Beagle Brigade helps ensure these diseases don’t travel past our borders,” said Lori Stevermer, NPPC president and pork producer from Easton, Minn.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) trains beagles and other dogs at U.S. ports of entry to spot contraband fruits, vegetables and meat products in international passenger baggage, mailed packages, and vehicles entering the United States. The “Beagle Brigade” agriculture canine teams bolster national security by performing critically important inspections at ports of entry.

NPPC led a coalition of 50+ groups in pressing Congress to pass this bipartisan legislation.

Temporary relief from the Corporate Transparency Act

On Dec. 28, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus issued a statement following the latest court development that has once again put the Corporate Transparency Act reporting requirements temporarily on hold:

“In a new decision, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a previous ruling they issued before Christmas and has instead decided to uphold the injunction blocking the Corporate Transparency Act from taking effect. This means that cattle producers have another temporary reprieve from filing beneficial ownership information with the U.S. Treasury. These court rulings have gone back and forth and continue to add to confusion. NCBA urges all cattle producers to consult with their attorney and/or tax professional for the latest information.”

First U.S. H5N1-related human death

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) reports the patient who had been hospitalized as the first human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or H5N1, in Louisiana and the United States has died. The patient was over the age of 65 and was reported to have underlying medical conditions. The patient contracted H5N1 after exposure to a combination of a noncommercial backyard flock and wild birds.

LDH’s extensive public health investigation has identified no additional H5N1 cases nor evidence of person-to-person transmission. This patient remains the only human case of H5N1 in Louisiana.

While the current public health risk for the general public remains low, people who work with birds, poultry or cows, or have recreational exposure to them, are at higher risk.

The best way to protect yourself and your family from H5N1 is to avoid sources of exposure. That means avoiding direct contact with wild birds and other animals infected with or suspected to be infected with bird flu viruses.

Tips for protecting yourself and others from H5N1 infection include:

• Do not touch sick or dead animals or their droppings and do not bring sick wild animals into your home.
• Keep your pets away from sick or dead animals and their feces.
• Do not eat uncooked or undercooked food. Cook poultry, eggs and other animal products to the proper temperature and prevent cross-contamination between raw and cooked food.
• Avoid uncooked food products such as unpasteurized raw milk or cheeses from animals that have a suspected or confirmed infection.
• If you work on poultry or dairy farms, talk to your provider about getting your seasonal flu vaccination. It will not prevent infection with avian influenza viruses, but it can reduce the risk of coinfection with avian and flu viruses.
• Report dead or sick birds or animals to the USDA toll-free at 1-866-536-7593 or the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Diagnostic Lab at 318-927-3441.

If you have been exposed to sick or dead birds or other animals or work on a farm where avian influenza has been detected, watch for respiratory symptoms or conjunctivitis. If you develop symptoms within 10 days after exposure to sick or dead animals, tell your healthcare provider that you have been in contact with sick animals and are concerned about avian influenza. This will help them give you appropriate advice on testing and treatment. Stay home and away from others while you have symptoms.

USDA Now Accepting Applications for the 1890 National Scholars Program

The USDA is accepting applications for the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program, which aims to encourage students at 1890 land-grant universities to pursue career paths in food, agriculture, natural resource sciences or related academic disciplines. The application deadline is March 1, 2025.

Young people around the country are invited to complete and submit their applications online through an e-application. Administered through USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE), the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program is available to eligible high school seniors entering their freshman year of college, as well as rising college sophomores and juniors.

“The USDA 1890 National Scholars Program enhances career opportunities for students at 1890 land-grant universities,” said USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement Director Lisa Ramirez. “The program has also been an effective tool to help USDA recruit and retain highly qualified students into careers in food, agricultural science, natural resources and related fields.”

The USDA 1890 National Scholars Program is a partnership between USDA and the 19 land-grant universities that were established in the Morrill Land Grand Act of 1890. USDA partners with these 1890 universities to provide scholarship recipients with full tuition, fees, books and room and board. Scholarship recipients attend one of the 1890 land-grant universities and pursue degrees in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences or related academic disciplines. The scholarship also provides work experience at USDA through summer internships. Scholars accepted into the program are eligible for noncompetitive conversion to a permanent appointment with USDA upon successful completion of their degree requirements and program requirements by the end of the agreement period. The program awarded 94 scholarships in the 2024 cohort of 1890 Scholars.

Learn more and apply online at USDA 1890 National Scholars Program. For more information, contact partnerships@usda.gov.

Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, Vol. 17, No. 1-A