Attendees discussed opportunities to improve traits related to health, longevity, fertility and feed efficiency through new phenotyping methods.

AGI plans to release a white paper outlining key takeaways from Imagine discussions in February 2025.

“Imagine was a one-of-a-kind experience for all who attended,” said Levi Landers, director of field & member services for the American Angus Association. “Thought leaders for all segments of the livestock industry were present to help drive breed improvement through the latest technologies that are and will be available. Conferences such as these will keep Angus in the lead when it comes to data collection and submission to secure ourselves as the breed of choice for all commercial producers.”

Cattle producer tax survey reveals urgent need

On Oct. 8, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) released a report analyzing data collected in a nationwide tax survey of America’s cattle producers. With the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act  set to expire at the end of 2025, NCBA collected this survey data to better understand how key tax provisions, such as Death Tax relief and business deductions, affect family-owned cattle operations.

"When I was starting out in the ranching business, I saw the devastating impact of the Death Tax firsthand, and this tax nearly killed my dream of ranching with my family,” said NCBA President and Wyoming rancher Mark Eisele. “This experience pushed me to fight for lower taxes on farms and ranches, and the data collected by NCBA shows that many other producers around the country have faced similar pressure from devastating tax bills, too. I urge our policymakers to see the story this data is telling — that farmers and ranchers need lower taxes to stay in business and continue feeding the world.”

The respondents to the tax survey indicated 99% operated family-owned farms or ranches, and 64% were third-generation cattle producers or greater. The survey showed strong support for provisions such as the 1031 Like-Kind Exchange, Section 179 Expensing, Bonus Depreciation, and section 199A Small Business Deduction. A quarter of respondents indicated they spend more than $10,000 annually for tax preparation, filing and potential audits, all expenses that only add further pressure to ag operations.

"Farms and ranches are unique small businesses, and they face a variety of challenges that our tax code must address,” said NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus. “The survey data shows strong support for tax provisions that help cattle producers reduce their taxes and invest in essential assets for running a successful cattle operation. To protect our farming and ranching heritage, we need Congress to step up and back tax provisions that help cattle producers save more of their hard-earned money and set up the next generation of cattle producers for success.”

To view the full report, click here.

Registration available for 2024 Stockmanship & Stewardship Virtual Event

The popular virtual Stockmanship & Stewardship event is returning this year with new content and world-renowned clinicians. It will be hosted Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Central Time. Learn from speakers, industry experts, and have the chance to interact with them during a live Q&A session. The event is free and sure to be a highlight.

Stockmanship & Stewardship is a unique educational experience featuring live low-stress cattle-handling demonstrations and industry updates you won’t find anywhere else. This event brings together producers, stakeholders, and key industry members to partake in educational programs in cattle handling and management.

The virtual event is back for one day only where you can gain an edge on the latest technology, industry updates, and the role that Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) plays in the conversation. Producers who attend receive training in best management practices to help improve their operation.

Registration for the virtual session, as well as on-site sessions hosted Oct. 18-19 in Fresno, Calif., and Oct. 25-26 in Hamburg, NY, is now available. The site offers details on how to apply for a Rancher’s Resilience Grant to cover registration and hotel costs for regional meetings.

The Angus Conversation episode focuses on foundational traits

Tennessee Angus breeder Joe Elliott has never liked the term “convenience traits,” because they’re much more than that to him.

“It’s the foundation of what keeps you in business ... structure and fertility,” he says, adding feet, legs, udders and disposition to the list.

Joe manages Robert Elliott & Sons Angus with his brother, William, and his son, Lake. Joe and Lake recently joined The Angus Conversation to share how they keep a consistent breeding philosophy that’s more focused on problem-free cattle than it is on fads.

To hear the whole episode, find The Angus Conversation wherever you get your podcasts or on the Angus website here. 

U.S. pork producers, veterinarians protected from antimicrobial reduction mandate

In late September the United Nations (UN) rejected proposed on-farm target reductions of antimicrobials. Instead, the UN declaration on antimicrobial resistance invests in stewardship programs and strengthens veterinarians’ roles on the farm.

Without the National Pork Producers Council’s (NPPC’s) leadership and science-based voice in these discussions, by 2030, the UN could have implemented a 30% global on-farm reduction in antimicrobials, as well as limits on the use of certain antibiotics in animal agriculture, NPPC said in a formal announcement.

NPPC advocates for pork producers and veterinarians’ freedom to judiciously establish and maintain herd health through a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR).

Aemetis Biogas completes initial construction phase of multi-dairy digester

Aemetis Inc. (NASDAQ: AMTX), a renewable natural gas and renewable fuels company focused on low and negative carbon intensity products, announced Oct. 3 that its Aemetis Biogas subsidiary has completed initial construction of a multi-dairy anaerobic digester to process waste from approximately 14,000 dairy cows in Merced County, Calif.

The digester is expected to begin operations by year-end 2024 and produce more than 200,000 MMBtu per year of renewable natural gas (RNG). The digester is designed to collect waste from four dairies that are each located within one-half mile from the multi-dairy digester. The project is connected to the 36-mile Aemetis biogas pipeline.

Currently, Aemetis generates biogas from anaerobic digesters fed by 10 dairies, producing approximately 300,000 MMBtu per year of RNG. After completion of the multi-dairy digester and two other digesters, Aemetis will be producing approximately 550,000 MMBtu of RNG per year from 16 dairies.

USDA awards $19.2M in scholarships for undergraduates at 1890 land-grant institutions

The USDA announced Oct. 4 a $19.2 million investment in 1890 land-grant universities to provide undergraduate scholarships for students to stimulate interest in food and agricultural careers.

“The 1890 land-grant universities have been critical partners in building the next generation of agricultural leaders, including here at USDA,” said Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack. “This scholarship investment is an important resource for students as they pursue their dreams and set out to make their mark on the world.”

This program complements USDA’s 1890 National Scholars Program, which provides competitively selected students with full tuition, fees, books, room and board. These programs are part of a suite of opportunities USDA administers to develop a highly skilled food and agricultural systems workforce.

$7.7 billion available for climate-smart practices on agricultural lands

The USDA announced up to $7.7 billion in assistance for fiscal year 2025 to help agricultural and forestry producers adopt conservation practices on working lands. This includes up to $5.7 billion for climate-smart practices, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, which is part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, and $2 billion in farm bill funding. This is more than double the amount available last year and the most conservation assistance made available in a single year in U.S. history for popular USDA conservation programs.

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) received more than 156,485 applications for its conservation programs in fiscal year 2024. While NRCS accepts applications year-round, interested agricultural producers can now apply for fiscal year 2025 funding through NRCS at their local USDA Service Center.