Congratulations to Cheryl Oxley who has just announced her retirement from Angus Productions Inc. effective April 30, 2010. She has been an integral part of API and also has been extremely involved in LPC. She is a member of the LPC Hall of Fame, has served more than her share of years on the board of directors and also went through the executive process eventually serving as president in 1995-96. She says "It's been a decision a long time in the deciding. It's time."  She is ready to spend more time with her family and plans to pursue other endeavors in teaching and in community and church work. I just spoke to her and she is very excited about looking ahead to everything that she has put off for years. She also said she was glad that she'll get invited back to the summer company picnic! Congratulations Cheryl on a good life. Here's one of my favorite pictures of her. 

The time has come to unveil the new rules for what has been known as the Critique Contest for the past 25+ years. After much discussion by the committees and the Board of Directors, we have taken the Critique Contest and split it into two parts. A Contest and a Critique Review. 

The contest will be very similar to the past with some slight changes made to the categories. We have either combined a few and eliminated the less popular ones. You will no longer receive critiques with these entries but will be rcognized at the Ag Media Summit during the awards recognition session. 

If you are interested in receiving a critique of your work then we have the new program called the Critique Review. This is designed to give you the opportunity to sit down with the expert who has critiqued your work and ask them questions about their comments, ways to improve, etc. This will also happen during the Ag Media Summit but if you cannot attend, we will arrange for a video recording to be furnished to you. 

We know there will be questions and I'm sure you have opinions on what you think about this program. We are trying this for one year only. If it seems to be the direction to go, we will continue with the two programs. Take a look at the forms and rules. We think you are going to be happy with the new changes.

We are getting all of these changes posted on the Web site right now but you can go to this link to take your first look at them: http://www.livestockpublications.com/forms.php

We are in the final stages of reviewing the newly re-vamped Contest and the brand new Critique division. A couple things we can let you know is when you enter the Contest, there will be no critiques. But, if you want to have in-depth critiques including a one-on-one session with the reviewer (formerly known as judge) then you can enter the Critique portion. Full details will be released as early as tomorrow. Please keep in mind that the deadlines is one month LATER. All entries and portfolios will be due on April 20, 2010. More to come soon.

Carey and her husband, Bryan Berry, welcomed a new little girl to the family on January 14. Carey is this year's Ag Media Summit chairman and is the publication coordinator at the Kentucky Cattlemen's Assn in Lexington, Kentucky. The little princess has a proud big brother, Nate. We look forward to meeting her this summer in St. Paul!

This was seen in a San Francisco paper. Any ideas on what to do next?

http://money.cnn.com/2010/02/17/smallbusiness/small_business_lending_falls/index.htm

Check out this story about EDJE Technologies from owner Ed Tlach. 

Zack T. Wood Jr., who served many years as executive director of the National Cutting Horse Association, passed away this Saturday, Feb. 13. 

In 1955, Wood helped form the Delta Cutting Horse Association, and he was working for the Agricultural Extension Service in Arkansas when he was elected an NCHA director in 1960. He had two staff members when he signed on as NCHA’s secretary/treasurer, a position that evolved into executive director. During his 28-year tenure, the association began the NCHA Futurity, Derby and Super Stakes, as well as the World Finals.

Read more: http://www.sallyharrison.com

Bob Weaber is a longtime friend of mine and is an assistant professor in the Animal Science department at the University of Missouri. He has a Ph.D from Cornell and master's from Colorado State and is a brilliant young man. I'm proud to post this (with his permission) in regards to the latest HSUS debacle. He sent this to the upper management at Casella wines who produce YellowTail wine.

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

I'm very disappointed in your decision to support HSUS in the USA. They are a radical organization bent on destruction of animal agriculture and pet ownership. In 2008, HSUS had revenues >US$131 Million, yet only spent ~US$6.7 Million on animal shelters. That's about 5% of their budget. The HSUS has committed one of the largest frauds on the American people by high-jacking the term "humane society' from the American Humane Society; a group that actually spends money and focuses on the rescue and shelter of pets. If you want to support pet rescue that's great, but do it with the right outfit (http://www.americanhumane.org/). Not HSUS!!! H$U$ is a terrible charity group as rated by American Institute of Philanthropy, a fiercely independent charity rating organization. See the scathing article posted by Consumer Freedom here: http://www.consumerfreedom.com/news_detail.cfm/h/4074-hsus-got -a-c-minus.

HSUS's radical policies and stated intent on ending livestock production (small and large farmers and ranchers) in the US only work to promote a vegan lifestyle. My whole family works in livestock and food production from university instruction to retailing to ranching. And we all USED to purchase your great products. YOUR ANNOUNCEMENT TO FOCUS YOUR FUNDS DONATED AT HSUS ON ANIMAL RESCUE DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH. That just frees up other HSUS funds to devote to destruction of animal agriculture. So, since you chose to continue supporting HSUS and thereby not supporting your fellow agriculturalists, my family and I have chosen to NOT support you either until you change course. I've already posted my opinion about YT's support of HSUS on my FaceBook page and am telling everyone I know not to purchase your products. You need to end your relationship with HSUS or plan to discontinue your business in the US. As you know, this is a major PR disaster in the US, especially among rural and agricultural communities. As the parent company and US importer you must understand how significant this misstep is and your need to reverse course.

Just watched the new video from Drovers -- looks like its their first. These editors are now having to learn the video business too. You can see Greg Henderson and John Maday have put their pens down and picked up a microphone. I like it -- this is a very well done piece. Let me know if you are doing the same, we'll post your links too.

http://www.drovers.tv/video-library/drovers-tv-february-9th-2010/

DENVER — The names of three livestock professionals were added to the Livestock Marketeers Hall of Fame wall at the National Western Stock Show Club on Jan. 16.

The Livestock Marketeers — an informal fraternity of livestock fieldmen, auctioneers, sale managers and related livestock business leaders — met for their 45th Annual Banquet in conjunction with the National Western Stock Show in Denver, CO. The event is hosted by American Live Stock, Geneva, IL.

Master of ceremonies J. Neil Orth, executive vice president of the American-International Charolais Association and a 1984 Hall of Fame inductee, introduced the 2010 honorees: Bruce Brooks of Marietta, OK, and Gary Kendall of Potlatch, ID. The late A.J. Smith of Lone Wolf, OK, was added to the special posthumous plaque provided by Crow Publications of Denver in 2009.

The Livestock Marketeers group was started in 1965 by Harry Green, Ross Miller and Claud Willett. Their purpose was to form a fraternal organization of livestock professionals, and to make annual awards in order to stimulate younger members of the industry to succeed in their chosen profession.
Nearly 100 Marketeers were in attendance for 2010, a new record for the group. For more information: http://www.livestockmarketeers.com/LivestockMarketeers/Home.html

(left to right): Willard Wolf, Valleyford, WA; C.D. ‘Butch’ Booker, Colfax, WA; Gary Kendall, Potlatch, ID; Bruce Brooks, Marietta, OK; Don Cagwin, Virginia, IL; Ken Holloway, Chattanooga, OK; Doug Paul, Oklahoma City, OK; and Neil Orth, Kansas City, MO.

A two-day photography workshop will be held on July 24-25, 2010, prior to the Agricultural Media Summit (AMS) in St. Paul, Minn. We’re building an intense learning session that will give attendees instruction from professional photographers in real-world shooting environments. And because we’re teaming up the workshop as a kickoff to the AMS, we are offering this impressive program at a tremendous value.

The workshop starts with a general roundtable discussion on Friday evening, July 23. Saturday and Sunday, July 24-25, will be two full days of hands-on training, in-field photography, group review sessions and expert feedback. We’ll wrap up Sunday evening, in time to gear up for AMS!
This is a workshop you won’t want to miss. Cost for the two-day session is $200 ($300 for those not attending AMS), and you will be responsible for lodging and dinner Saturday night.

Most important is that SPACE IS STRICTLY LIMITED, and we will close registration on May 3. Reserve your space TODAY by contacting me at dianej@flash.net. Additional details will be provided this spring.

Are you interested in combining all facets of agricultural communications into one summer internship? Do you want to gain experience in writing, photography and digital media?Read full description here: http://www.livestockpublications.com/postings.php

NOTE: Job postings may be posted by any LPC member. I just cleared some old ones out so check back often if you are looking for a job as I'm sure there will be new ones posted soon. 

You can see a story picked up by AgWeb on the EM:HE story that we have been following. The bus will move tomorrow afternoon! Brand new house for a deserving Skaggs family. http://www.agweb.com/

LPC member, Oklahoma Pork Council is a proud sponsor here at the Extreme Makeover Home Edition site near Lexington, Oklahoma. Word is they were the sponsor of last night's dinner for area realtors. I'm proud of them too for being a part of it!

The National Ag Communicators of Tomorrow are hosting their annual conference in Stephenville, Texas. Several LPC members are helping as workshop leaders and are listed in bold. For more information: http://www.tarleton.edu/ACT/act2010conf.html

Scholarship applications for the Forrest Bassford Student Award sponsored by LPC and Intervet/Schering-Plough are available on the Web site and due on February 15, 2010. The top winner will receive a $1,500 scholarship and a $500 travel scholarship to attend LPC’s annual convention and Ag Media Summit in St. Paul, Minnesota, July 24-28, 2010. Up to three $750 travel scholarships to attend the convention will be given in addition to the top award. Students participating in the convention will have the opportunity to interact with more than 500 livestock publication managerial, editorial, advertising, production and circulation personnel while attending workshops and seminars specifically related to this specialized publishing field.

Calling all parents with kids who are in the 7th to 12th grades. The Agriculture Council of America is hosting an essay contest with a theme of "American Agriculture: Abundant, Affordable, Amazing." Great theme! Deadline is Feb. 12 - cash prizes. Go to www.hpj.com/agdayessay for full rules and applications.

The premiere of the HBO original movie "Temple Grandin" will air this Saturday, February 6, on HBO. Claire Danes stars as the title character and co-stars Catherine O'Hara and David Strathaim. Temple was the LPC Headliner award winner and was honored in August of 2009 and again in October 2009 with the hanging of her portrait in Kansas City in the LPC Hall of Honor. (photo includes LPC President Marilyn Brink; Burt Rutherford, BEEF Magazine; and Temple. I just ran across this fantastic article by Joe Roybal, BEFF Magazine, who originally nominated Temple for this award and granted me permission to re-post http://beefmagazine.com/cowcalfweekly/1031-temple-grandin-hbo-biopic/

Also you can see lots more on several online sites but I found this one: http://www.hbo.com/movies/temple-grandin/index.html

I have been overwhelmed with comments regarding this family who has been selected for the Extreme Makeover Home Edition. Since they are closely related to the cattle business, plus friends of many LPC members, I am going to keep you posted on some inside scoop. I will be going up for the big reveal so will have some up close and personal items for you too.

But today's report is that the big tent is up -- yes circus tent is up and over the job site. They have been able to get the temperature to around 50 degrees in the tent which has been the big concern for getting the concrete to set. The major problem is the mud --- although a two lane "somewhat paved" road has now been created to help get the very heavy trucks to and from the site. Things are happening really fast and I'll keep you posted!

This is worth watching: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYtQN2jcqbw

We have had an exciting event happen with some of our friends in the cattle business. Read on:

It's official! The popular television show Extreme Makeover Home Edition has just "knocked on the door" of the home of Brian and Audra Skaggs, Lexington, Okla. This show is designed to help families in need but also bring communities together through volunteerism and awareness to specific needs of the family.

In the case of the Skaggs family, their son, Jhett, at the age of ten months was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with left ventricular non-compaction and metabolic myopathy. On November 28, 2007 he had a successful heart transplant and continues to improve into an active three-year-old. His big sister Merit, 5, has been by his side through his ordeal and helps make him into a tough little brother.

Through their challenges with the surgeries, medications, travel to and from hospitals in Oklahoma City and Houston, the Skaggs have worked to keep their life in check. With the financial stress of all of this, the Extreme Makeover team saw a need to help this family and through this week's activities they will now have a new home along with other surprises that will be revealed when the show airs. At this time no air date has been set.

Brian is active in the Limousin breed and a familiar face in the cattle industry. He has recently completed his final year on the Oklahoma Limousin Breeders Association after serving as president in 2008. He has also serves on the North American Limousin Foundation board of directors. Audra is a teacher in the Lexington school system and active in her church.

The home builder is Ideal Homes, Norman, Okla., owned by Gene and Vernon McKown, former Limousin breeders with McKown Limousin. McKown Limousin was a major force in the Limousin breed in 1970s - 80s.

The reveal will be held next Sunday, February 7, and members of the cattle and livestock industry are encouraged to be there when they "move that bus"! To follow the story and find out more details on times, go to www.idealextremehome.com.