Kentucky Agricultural News

New Embryo Transfer Rule Begins Jan. 1

2011-12-28T13:37:00.001-05:00

A new embryo transfer (ET) rule, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2012, will require Angus producers who want to register embryo transfer (ET) calves to request an ET authorization when the first owner of a calf is different than the owner of the donor dam.

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For More Information Contact:

Crystal Albers at (816) 383-5134 or calbers@angus.org

Caleb and Leanne Ragland of Hodgenville Named 2012 ASA/DuPont Young Leader

2011-12-28T11:08:00.001-05:00

Contact:
Jaime Vincent
Kentucky Soybean Association

The American Soybean Association (ASA) and Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, are pleased to announce Caleb and Leanne Ragland of Hodgenville, have been named 2012 ASA/DuPont Young Leaders. They were chosen to represent Kentucky in a program involving soybean producer participants from 20 states and Canada.

The ASA/DuPont Young Leader Program targets soybean farmers who are innovative, global thinking, "young in leadership" and looking to make their mark in agriculture. Now in its 29th year, the program has a tremendous record of success. Program alumni have assumed significant leadership roles in state and national soybean associations and promotion boards, as well as national, regional, and state agricultural organizations. Nearly all are making a difference in agriculture, by ensuring the voice of the American farmer is being heard.

The 2012 class of ASA/DuPont Young Leaders participated in a challenging and educational leadership development experience November 29-December 2, 2011, at Pioneer headquarters in Johnston, IA. This four-day seminar included advocacy and media training, group casework on soybean industry policy issues, communication style analysis, presentations on the economy, biotechnology, soybean traits & product development, and tours of Pioneer's research facilities. Participants also gave presentations on their farm operation, and networked with the other producers and their spouses. Class members will complete Phase II of their training Feb. 28-March 3, 2012 in Nashville, TN, in conjunction with the annual Commodity Classic Convention & Trade Show. Young Leaders will receive leadership recognition awards at the ASA Awards Banquet on Friday, March 2nd, rounding out a full week of learning, networking, and personal growth.

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January 2012 Meetings Advisory

2011-12-28T10:55:00.000-05:00

Contact:

Sandra Gardner
(502) 564-4627

(502) 782-1759 [direct]
(502) 330-2105 [cell]

agpolicy.ky.gov

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Dec. 28, 2011) – The following are upcoming meetings in January involving the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy (GOAP):

Jan. 3 – The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board (KADB) Application Review Committee will meet Tuesday, Jan. 3, at 10 a.m. EST. The meeting will be held at Nolin RECC, 411 Ring Road, Elizabethtown 42701. (http://www.nolinrecc.com/pdf/NolinElizabethtownDirections.pdf)
Jan. 20 – The KADB will hold its regular business meeting Friday, Jan. 20 at 10 a.m. EST. The meeting will be held at the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, 464 Chenault Road, Frankfort 40601. (http://www.kychamber.com/mx/hm.asp?id=contactus)
Jan. 31 – The KADB Application Review Committee will meet Tuesday, Jan. 31, at 10 a.m. EST at a location to be determined. Further information will be posted at agpolicy.ky.gov.

Meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend. Agendas will be posted at agpolicy.ky.gov/calendar.shtml at least 24-hours prior to the scheduled meeting.

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Note: The Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation is not scheduled for a meeting in January.

The Rooster

2011-12-28T10:54:00.000-05:00

Agriculture in the news on Wednesday, December 28

Poll finds 87% of Kentuckians support vote to allow casinos

LOUISVILLE (Courier-Journal) — A new survey commissioned by the horse-racing industry shows that most Kentuckians want to vote on the question of expanded gambling and would support a constitutional amendment to allow casinos.

The survey – released yesterday by the Garin-Hart-Yang Research Group, a polling firm based in Washington, D.C. – found that 87 percent of Kentuckians support having a ballot measure and 64 percent would favor an amendment to authorize casino gambling. It also shows broad support for a statewide vote across political parties.

The poll comes a week ahead of the 2012 legislative session, in which Democrats and Republicans are expected to spar over casino gaming. Brett Hale, senior vice president of corporate and government affairs at Churchill Downs, said the horse industry is “cautiously optimistic” that legislation will pass.

Proponents have long argued that the Kentucky horse industry is losing out to other states where purses and breeding incentives are supplemented with revenue from casino games. Adopting a proposed constitutional amendment requires 23 votes in the 38-member Senate and 60 votes in the 100-member House before it can be placed on the November general election ballot.

More: http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=NEWS01

Morning drizzle pushes Lexington to new rainfall record

LEXINGTON (Herald-Leader) — Early morning drizzle yesterday was enough to make 2011 the wettest year on record in Lexington, and the rain didn't stop there.

As of 7 a.m. Tuesday, the Lexington area had received 0.67 inches of rain, bringing the 2011 total to 65.86, compared with the old record of 65.76 set in 1935, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Louisville. By 4 p.m., the city had gotten 1.16 inches of rain for the day, bringing the yearly total to 66.35 inches.

NWS forecaster Andrea Schoettmer said Lexington probably will get more precipitation over the final days of the year.

Photos & more: http://www.kentucky.com/2011/12/28/2007387/morning-drizzle-pushes-lexington.html

Current bourbon boom represents triumph of salesmanship

LOUISVILLE (New York Times) — At a time when many American industries are struggling, distillers here are thriving, hiring and expanding. They are cashing in on an American renaissance in whiskey-based cocktails, as well as a growing thirst for bourbon around the world.

Bourbon is one product America still makes better than anyone else – and, in at least one way, it always will be. That is because Congress decreed in 1964 that “bourbon whiskey is a distinctive product of the United States.” Three elements make bourbon unique: American corn, pure limestone water and new, charred oak barrels.

Regardless, people here and abroad are drinking more of it these days. Global supplier sales of bourbon and Tennessee whiskey are expected to reach $3.8 billion this year, versus $3.7 billion in 2010, according to a forecast from Euromonitor International. (Bourbon is a type of whiskey, so researchers group them together.)

“Bourbon is growing at a faster rate than the total spirits category and outperforming most of the other spirit segments,” declared Danny Brager, vice president of the beverage alcohol team for Nielsen.

Photos & more: www.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/business/bourbons-all-american-roar.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Bourbons%20All-American%20Roar&st=cse

Small Ruminant Grazing Conference Jan. 14 in Bowling Green

QUICKSAND, Ky. (UK) — Small ruminant production is becoming big business in Kentucky as farmers realize the potential of raising sheep and goats.

The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture is teaming up with sheep and goat breed associations, Kentucky State University and the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board to offer the 2012 Kentucky Small Ruminant Grazing Conference at the Western Kentucky University Ag Expo Center in Bowling Green. Scheduled for 9 a.m. CST Saturday, Jan. 14, the conference will offer many sessions for all levels of experience.

The day will start with an economics and marketing update, followed by sessions related to forage management, nutrition and genetics (click on link below for session topics). Kentucky sheep producer Eden Myers of Mount Sterling will discuss “High Health = Low Cost.” Participants can attend optional FAMACHA training at 3:15 p.m.

Registration, due Jan. 7, is $25 for the conference and an additional $15 for FAMACHA training. Those planning to attend should send their name, home address, phone number and e-mail address and payment to: UK Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability, Attention Jackie Allen, 130 Robinson Road, Jackson, KY 41339.

More: http://www.ca.uky.edu/news/?c=n&d=964

Florida ag officials battling invasion of giant African snails

MIAMI (Huffington Post) — Miami is being invaded again, and we're not talking about snowbirds – though this problem moves just as slowly. More than 33,000 giant African land snails have been captured since the invasive species began taking over parts of the city and suburbs in September, officials say, and the fight continues on.

One of the largest snails in the world, the giant African land snail (or GALS, as the state calls them) can reach up to 8 inches in length and nearly 5 inches in diameter. GALS can live up to nine years, boast both male and female reproductive organs, and reproduce rapidly, each snail laying about 1,200 eggs per year. The nocturnal creepers are also a menace to more than 500 crops, eat the stucco off of houses, and are known to carry a parasite charmingly called “rat lungworm” and a strain of meningitis that can be transferred to humans.

"It's us against the snails," said Richard Gaskalla, director of plant industry at the Florida Department of Agriculture. His department has undertaken a massive eradication program involving up to 200 state and federal departments of agriculture employees. The snails are lured with bait and eventually die, but the process is painstaking.

Photos & more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/20/33000-giant-african-land-snails_n_1162020.html

This Morning’s Market Prices

Corn	$6.35 per bushel	up $.02
Soybeans	$11.93 per bushel	down $.07
Cattle	$123.45 per cwt.	up $.25
Hogs	$86.00 per cwt.	up $.25

Source: Chicago Board of Trade

The Rooster is compiled and edited by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Division of Public Relations.

Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Department or the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

American Angus Association to Introduce PathfinderPlus

2011-12-27T10:34:00.001-05:00

The American Angus Association^® will soon introduce a voluntary, inventory-based reporting system designed to capture additional reproductive trait data and to ultimately expand reproductive and lifetime productivity tools, such as longevity measures. The new program, known as PathfinderPlus, will debut in early 2012 and provide Angus breeders and their customers with additional information to make effective selection decisions.

Click here to read more...

For More Information Contact:

Crystal Albers at (816) 383-5134 or calbers@angus.org