On the Edge of Common Sense: Baxter Black

On the Edge of Common Sense

with Baxter Black

Tolerance

When our opinions get as immovable as a granite outhouse, God has a way of shaking the foundation.

I was searching for an artist who could lend just the right feeling to a book I was putting together. I found such a person. He lived in a remote mountain town and had no phone. With the help of the local postmistress and several letters, he agreed to illustrate my book.

Besides his unique artistic style, he was a good cowboy. Over the months of correspondence and our occasional visits on his local pay phone, I developed a genuine liking and respect for him.

We agreed to meet at the Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada.

I arrived Thursday night and began to test the limits of my envelope! I had the makin’s of a personal best brewing when I spied an old friend, a big man whose effort had done much to promote cowboy poetry. I shook his hand warmly. It was then I noticed he was wearing a little short ponytail. I was overcome! I dressed him down for his uncowboy fashion statement and finished by removing the decorative ribbon binding his furry polyp!

Just then I felt a tap on the shoulder. I turned and a young man reached to shake my hand. He was decked out in his buckaroo finest. He introduced himself and remarked that he enjoyed my work. He explained that he was an actor. As he talked, I focused on his earring. Earring! I became incensed! I lectured him on manly pride and ended up trying to bite off his earlobe!

In retrospect it occurred to me that I might have overreacted. Fortunately these good fellows merely escaped my grasp rather than permanently disfigure me.

The next day I was walking through the crowd when I heard a voice call my name. I turned. A hand pressed into mine and the voice said, “Hi, I’m yer new artist!”

He had blond hair braided into a pigtail that reached his waist. Eight, count’em eight! Earrings decorated his left ear!

I was dumbfounded!

He continued, “I’d like you to meet my wife.” I looked to his side where and attractive woman stood wearing a bowler hat and a gold ring in her nose!

Looking back, I suspect God set me up. He said to Himself, this boy needs a lesson in tolerance. He was right. I was due. I’ve learned that a closed mind is like lookin’ at the world with one eye closed. I guess we could use a dose of kindness and understanding in our nation’s capitol… Washington, (sorry George), D.C.

U.S. Pork Exports Reach New Heights in March; First Quarter Beef Exports also on Record Pace

Source: USMEF

Underpinned by record production, U.S. pork exports completed a tremendous first quarter with new March records for volume and value, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef exports also trended higher year-over-year in March, establishing a record first quarter pace.

“March export results were very solid, especially given the COVID-19 related headwinds facing customers in many international markets at that time,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “Stay-at-home orders created enormous challenges for many countries’ foodservice sectors, several key currencies slumped against the U.S. dollar and logistical obstacles surfaced in some key markets - yet demand for U.S. red meat proved very resilient.”

Some recent events, including temporary closures of several U.S. processing plants, are not reflected in the first quarter export data. Halstrom cautioned that April and May exports could slow as a result, but his outlook for 2020 remains positive.

“These are truly unprecedented circumstances, creating an uncertain global business climate,” Halstrom explained. “The U.S. meat industry has spent decades developing a loyal and well-informed customer base throughout the world, which has embraced the quality and value delivered by U.S. red meat. Their commitment to U.S. products during this crisis is muchappreciated.” Strong demand from China/Hong Kong continued to drive U.S. pork exports to new heights, but March exports also increased significantly to Mexico, Japan and Canada. Export volume reached 291,459 metric tons (mt), up 38% from a year ago and topping the previous record set in December 2019. Export value increased 47% to $764.2 million. Through the first quarter, pork exports increased 40% from a year ago to 838,118 mt, valued at $2.23 billion (up 52%). Pork export value per head slaughtered reached $63.99 in March, up 32% from a year ago. The January-March per head average was $64.66, up 40%. March exports accounted for 31.6% of total pork production and 28.4% for pork muscle cuts - each up about six percentage points from a year ago, even as March production increased by 12%. Through the first quarter, exports accounted for 31.4% of total pork production and 28.5% for muscle cuts, up from 24.4% and 21.3%, respectively, in 2019. U.S. pork production was up 9% in the first quarter, with industry expansion fueled by strong international demand, especially in several key Asian markets still battling African swine fever (ASF).

Driven by solid growth in Japan, where U.S. beef is benefiting from reduced tariffs under the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement, as well as South Korea, Mexico, Canada and Taiwan, March beef exports totaled 115,308 mt, up 7% from a year ago, valued at $702.2 million - up 4% and the highest monthly value since July. First quarter beef exports climbed 9% from a year ago to 334,703 mt, valued at $2.06 billion (up 8%).

Beef export value per head of fed slaughter was $308.21 in March, down 8% from the very high March 2019 average. For the first quarter, per-head export value increased 2% to $317.06. March beef exports accounted for 13.9% of total production and 11.3% for beef muscle cuts, down from 14.8% and 12%, respectively, a year ago. Exports accounted for 14% of first quarter beef production and 11.4% for muscle cuts, each up slightly year-over-year. U.S. beef production increased by 14% in March and 8% in the first quarter as export growth continued to make a critical contribution to carcass value even as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the

global foodservice sector.

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American Angus Association Names Joel Cowley AGI President

Source: Holly Martin, Angus Communications

Beef industry veteran joins from Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

The American Angus Association ® recently named Joel Cowley president of Angus Genetics, Inc. (AGI). With his combination of beef industry experience and innovative leadership, Cowley will guide the company’s genetic evaluation technology and research programs.

“In a time of advancing science and fast-paced innovation, Joel will lead AGI’s efforts to remain at the top of our game and connect that science to the cattlemen who depend on it,” said Mark McCully, American Angus Association CEO. “He is a true leader, and his animal breeding training, coupled with executive experience, makes him ideally suited to lead AGI to the next level.”

Cowley’s roots are firmly planted in the beef industry. He completed his undergraduate studies at Colorado State University, where he competed on the livestock judging team. Cowley achieved his master’s degree in animal breeding at Texas A&M University while serving as the University’s livestock judging coach. Cowley also served as a beef cattle extension specialist at Michigan State University, where he completed his MBA. Most recently, Cowley was the president and chief executive officer of the Houston Livestock Show and RodeoTM, where he directed the efforts of 35,000 volunteers and 130 full time staff to conduct an event that draws more than 2.5 million visitors in 23 days and annually awards $27 million to youth and education. Though he enjoyed being part of an event that hosts the world’s largest livestock show and connects urban consumers with agriculture, Cowley wanted to have a more direct impact on production agriculture and welcomed the opportunity to work with Angus breeders. He previously worked for Certified Angus Beef LLC as an executive account manager and then assistant director of food service.

“Angus breeders are the leaders in improving their genetics, their breed and the beef industry,” Cowley said. “I am fortunate to be asked to lead those efforts and am looking forward to working on the research that will continue the advancement of genetic evaluation of beef cattle worldwide.”

In addition to his work experience, Cowley has served on the Texas FFA Foundation, Texas 4-H Youth Development Foundation, University of Houston Bauer College of Business Board of Directors, and the Academy Sports and Outdoors Texas Bowl Board of Directors. He recently was named Texas A&M University Department of Animal Science Outstanding Alumni and a Houston Business Journal Most Admired

CEO. For more information about the American Angus Association, please visit angus.org.

2020 National Junior Angus Show Relocates West to Tulsa, Okla.

Source: Angus Communications

In light of the state of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 guidelines, the American Angus Association has decided to move the 2020 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) to July 19-25, 2020, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Although events will be much different than typical, the American Angus Association is continuing with the Eastern Regional Junior Show planned for June 25-28, 2020, in Lebanon, Tennessee, and the NJAS. “After much discussion, it was concluded that it was in the best interest of the health of the Angus family to move the 2020 NJAS to Tulsa,” said Jaclyn Upperman, American Angus Association director of events and education. “This year has been anything but normal, but we are doing our best to carry out the NJAS everyone knows and loves.” Through discussions and collaborations with the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and consideration of the Pennsylvania reopening plans and outlook, it was decided to relocate the 2020 NJAS. “We are extremely grateful for the patience of our members as changes occur day-by-day,” Upperman said. “We look forward to making the most of the 2020 NJAS, and we hope to see you in Tulsa.” Due to these changes, entry deadline for the 2020 NJAS will now be June 1 for paper entries and June 10 for ownership and online entries. For more information on specific changes, visit Angus.org. The NJAS will also follow our 2020 Summer Show guidelines outlined here. While this is the status today, there may be more changes forthcoming. Modifications to the shows, events and contests are expected, as staff members work with state and facility officials to follow the necessary guidelines. Announcements will be made as quickly as possible to allow appropriate time for families to adjust their plans.

Visit the NJAA website for more information on contest deadlines, or contact the Events and Education

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ShowMe Genetic Services Announces Scholarship Essay Contest

Source: ShowMe Genetic Services

STRAFFORD, Missouri — Is your background in beef cattle production? Are you looking for scholarship opportunities as you wrap up your senior year in high school and prepare for college? If so, a brand- new scholarship essay contest sponsored by ShowMe Genetic Services might be for you.

Through their essays, ShowMe Genetic Services

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wants graduating high school seniors to demonstrate the impact reproductive technology has had on their farming operations. Heat identification, heat synchronization, semen collection, artificial insemination, embryology and liquid nitrogen storage are just a few examples of reproductive technology that might be included in the essay. The essay should be submitted as a Microsoft Word Document in 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced, and 500 to 1,000 words in length.

Scholarship monies will be paid to first ($500), second ($250) and third ($100) recipients. Winners will be featured on the ShowMe Genetics Facebook page. Entries should be received by June 10, 2020, and should be emailed to Kathryn Coon at kathryn@showmegen. com, or mailed to ShowMe Genetic Services, 8134 E. State Hwy C, Strafford, MO 65757. A signed and completed release form must accompany the essay and is obtainable from Coon.

Questions regarding the contest should be directed to Coon by calling 417-736-2125.