A dedication to learning, improvement and good animal husbandry helped earn the North American Limousin Foundation (NALF) Commercial Producer of the Year award for Tim and Delarie Kessler of Kessler Livestock, Leola, SD.

The Mustang Heritage Foundation (MHF) is doing what no other horse-related organization in the nation has attempted?give a horse to a trainer for 90 days and guarantee $700 in payment with the promise to help market the trainer and the horse to the public.

Union County Extension agent David Graham has first-hand experience how an agricultural emergency plan prepares a community. His county had just finished the agriculture amendment to its emergency operations plan when the January 2007 blizzard buried some areas of northeastern New Mexico in more than 30 inches of snow and 10- to 15-foot drifts.

John and Jane Picatto of Spring Valley, IL, were recognized as the 2008 Red Angus Personality of the Year at the 2008 National Red Angus Convention in Cheyenne, WY. Director Esther Fischer of Harlowton, MT, presented the award.

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has honored Rep. Tim Holden, D-PA, with its Golden Plow Award, the highest honor the organization bestows on members of Congress. Holden was presented the award last Wednesday for his support of America?s farmers and ranchers by AFBF President Bob Stallman and Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Carl Shaffer.

What recession? Some 500 supporters of Oregon cattle ranchers showed up recently at a benefit auction and raised more than $70,000 to help local ranchers pay legal costs to defend cattle grazing on public lands.

For several years, nutritionists from Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska have met twice each year to receive updates and have discussions on pertinent beef nutrition topics. This event has become known as the Colorado Nutrtion Roundtable?or simply the Nutrition Roundtable.

The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) Board of Directors recently approved an aggressive plan and policy to eliminate the Arthrogryposis Multiplex (AM) gene from the Gelbvieh herdbook. AM is a genetic defect found in certain lines of Angus cattle.

Responding to Gov. Schwarzenegge r?s announcement to take actions to mitigate community and farm impacts due to water shortages, the president of the state?s largest farm organization, Doug Mosebar of the California Farm Bureau Federation, said recently that the action will help.

The 14th Annual Ken Troutt Memorial Scholarship was selected at the Annual Cowman?s Classic All Breed Bull Sale on Feb. 21 at Spokane, WA. This year?s recipients were Mariah Mielke of Davenport, WA ? 1st Runner Up ($250), and Julie Jeske of Royal City, WA ? First Place ($500).