Cow/calf and seedstock producer Wesley Grau from Grady, New Mexico, was re-elected by fellow CBB members to serve as chairman of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board in 2012, after fulfilling a partial term at the helm in 2011. The vote came during the 2012 Cattle Industry Annual Convention in Nashville, Tenn. Grau was born in New Mexico and traces his cattle-business beginnings to 1960 when, at 9 years old, his father let him start raising show steers. Grau passed up the opportunity to play basketball in college and decided to earn his bachelor of science degree in agriculture economics instead. He earned enough money from his show steers to start at New Mexico State University in the fall of 1969.

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has added butter to the product list it will assist members in selling overseas, starting in January. Analysis of market fundamentals by CWT/NMPF economists indicated that the time was right to provide assistance to CWT member cooperatives interested in expanding sales of U.S. butter in foreign markets.

This week, two producers were honored with the checkoff’s annual national Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) award and Dairy Beef Quality Assurance (DBQA) award, created to recognize outstanding beef and dairy producers from across the country who incorporate BQA principles as part of the day-to-day activities on their operations. And for the first time, one individual was recognized with the BQA Marketer Award, which was open to livestock markets, cattle buyers and supply-chain programs that promote BQA to their customers and offer them opportunities to get certified; and one individual received the BQA Educator Award, which was open to individuals or companies that provide high quality and innovative training to individuals that care and handle cattle throughout the industry chain.

Broulim’s Fresh Foods, Haggen Food & Pharmacy/TOP Foods, Harris Teeter Inc., and Safeway were awarded the National Retail Beef Backer awards today at the at the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville. Funded by the Beef Checkoff Program, this effort recognizes grocery establishments that are doing an outstanding job of marketing and merchandising beef in the meat case.

The 2011 National Foodservice Beef Backer Award winners were unveiled today at the 2012 Cattle Industry Conference. Each year, the Beef Checkoff Program recognizes three food service establishments for their efforts in menuing and marketing beef. The 2011 national winners include the Little Apple Brewing Company in the Independent category, Zippy’s Restaurants in the Chain category and Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort as the Innovator of the Year.

Novartis Animal Health announces the introduction of NUPLURA™ PH, a new vaccine for beef and dairy cattle that provides fast-acting protection against bovine pneumonia caused by Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica. M. haemolytica, formerly known as Pasteurella, is a highly transmissible bacteria and a leading cause of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) complex. Research has shown that M. haemolytica is present in nearly 75 percent of all diagnosed BRD cases, causing more death and economic loss than any other respiratory disease.

Illinois farm groups are joining forces with law enforcement to improve security related to agriculture. They have created the "Agro-Security Working Group" and will educate farmers on preventing crime and terrorism.

The Nebraska Legislature's Agriculture Committee is set to debate the creation of a panel to study whether schools are effectively teaching children about agriculture and where their food comes from. Sen. Kate Sullivan of Cedar Rapids introduced a bill that would create an Agriculture Literacy Task Force to study whether agriculture plays an adequate role in school curriculums across the state.

A coalition of business groups will propose Kansas start a new program to help some illegal immigrants remain in the state so they can hold down jobs in agriculture and other industries with labor shortages, coalition representatives disclosed recently. The proposal is likely to stir controversy in the Legislature and divide the Republican majority, some of whose members have argued Kansas needs to crack down on illegal immigration.

Solid market growth over the last five years has milk – and the products derived from it – making an unprecedented leap in value. With the substantial increase in the value of dairy, researchers at the Rabobank International Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory (FAR) group find many along the supply chain wondering who is profiting from the bullish dairy market. The Rabobank International Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory (FAR) group’s “Show Me the Money!” report notes many of the profits flowing through the dairy supply chain in recent years have been absorbed by input costs for farmers or capitalized into the value of farmland.