Beef producers will discuss the planet's health along with that of their cattle at the 58th annual Oakdale Livestock Forum, set for March 2. Experts will speak on cattle's contribution to climate-changing emissions and how rangeland grasses might help capture them. The forum also will feature a discussion of agritourism — ways ranchers can make money from visitors. Pinkeye prevention and other management topics also will be covered. The forum, sponsored by the University of California Cooperative Extension and several partners, is for ranchers in Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Tuolumne and Calaveras counties. It will be from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second St., Oakdale. The $15 fee includes a barbecue lunch. For more information, call Theresa Becchetti at 525-6800.
American AgCredit is paying $15.8 million in dividends to its borrower-members after earning $49 million in net income in 2009. The cooperative, a major source of farm loans in the Northern San Joaquin Valley, is part of a federally sponsored network of institutions owned by the borrowers. The latest dividend brings the total to $80 million over the past five years.
Joe Zurilgen will manage the Tractor Supply Co. store opening in mid-March in Tuolumne County. Zurilgen has been the assistant manager at the Turlock and Tulare stores since joining the chain in 2008. Before that, he worked as a construction manager. The new store is at 14879 Mono Way, east of Standard. Tractor Supply, based in Tennessee, is the nation's largest retailer of farm and ranch supplies, with more than 900 stores in 44 states.
To submit items about agribusiness, call 578-2385, send a fax to 578-2207, or send an e-mail to jholland@modbee.com.
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