Loose Ends

*****

The Texas Department of Agriculture will host a series of 10 workshops statewide to help agriculture producers prepare for the federal disaster assistance application process. The workshops will also offer essential information on resuming production following a drouth. Area banking representatives will be on hand to assess the drouth’s impact on lending practices as well as the effects on agricultural loans for the 1999 crop year.

Workshops are scheduled in the following cities: Lamesa, August 11; Stamford, August 12; Navasota, August 13; Weslaco, August 18; Victoria, August 19; Uvalde, August 19; Tyler August 20; Plainview August 25; San Angelo, August 26; and Waco, August 27.

Specific locations and times will be announced at a future date. More information is available from Beverly Boyd or Gene Acuna at (512)463-7664.

*****

The High Plains Beef Conference focusing on health, nutrition and the environment is set for August 27-28 at West Texas A&M University’s Agriculture and Natural Sciences building, Canyon.

The conference is designed to showcase the beef cattle industry and provide opportunities to meet new university researchers; become familiar with current research projects; tour new research facilities at West Texas A&M University’s Nance Ranch; supply input to research programs and help researchers identify the needs of the industry. The conference is focused on issues and concerns of feedyard managers and employees, cattle feeders, stockers and consultants in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska.

Registration begins at 10 a.m. on August 27 with the program beginning at 11 a.m.

*****

Lynn Kosty has been named associate director of food policy and Terry Van Doren has been named associate director of agricultural and marketing policy for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

Kosty holds a Masters degree in Agricultural Economics and a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Technology, both from the University of Kentucky. While at the University, Kosty worked as a research assistant for economic issues as they relate to agriculture as well as food safety. Her responsibilities with NCBA will include working on food safety, policy and nutrition and health issues.

Raised on a purebred cow-calf operation in Illinois, Van Doren holds a Master of Agriculture degree from Colorado State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from the University of Illinois. Van Doren holds a Master of Agriculture degree from Colorado State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from the University of Illinois. Van Doren comes to NCBA from AESOP Enterprises, where he worked as a legislative assistant representing land grant universities. He has also worked for the Washington Cattlemen’s Association, American Meat Institute and the American Soybean Association. At NCBA, Van Doren will work on public policy issues regarding marketing, farm policy, appropriations and research.

*****

Three checkoff-funded campaigns are generating publicity for both popular and underutilized beef cuts and reaching millions of consumers with useful product information.

The three initiative targets are:

? moist heat cookery (braising and stewing), promoting the cooking of beef cuts from the chuck and round. Showing that these cuts can be economical, lean and tasty, the efforts have netted 2726 newspaper and magazine placements nationwide for a combined circulation of 233.6 million.

? Ground beef, demonstrating the ease and versatility of this beef product, still one of the most popular and economical for today’s families. To date, there have been 1376 placements of ground beef information in publications with combined circulation of 220 million.

? Beef roasts, replacing turkey and ham for the holidays. Showing that oven roasts are as easy as 1-2-3 to prepare, impressive to serve and fabulous to eat, the campaign also illustrates how roast leftovers can also be used in sandwiches, salads and quick soups. There have been 1564 beef roast placements nationwide for a combined circulation of 132.3 million.

*****