Plan Now for ‘The Great Northwest Gathering’

Plan Now for ‘The Great Northwest Gathering’
July 18, 2006

SAINT JOSEPH, MO — Opportunities to hear from beef industry leaders, the chance to rekindle old Angus friendships and make new acquaintances and time to tour the scenic Northwest are all offered on this year’s National Angus Conference & Tour. Slated for Sept. 26-28 in Boise, Idaho, “The Great Northwest Gathering” offers something for every Angus enthusiast.

The American Angus Association and corporate partners Purina Mills, LLC, and Alpharma Animal Health invite all producers to the conference and tour. The one-day conference begins with a “Back to Basics” program, where Association staff will provide program updates. The conference features top industry experts who will address all cycles of beef production, from reproduction to nutrition to the end product.

The two-day tour, hosted by the Idaho and Oregon Angus associations will feature ranches in a variety of environments, from the desert to the mountains. Angus stops include 101 Ranch Inc., King Hill, Idaho; Spring Cove Ranch, Bliss, Idaho; Bear Mountain Angus Ranch, Melba, Idaho; Malson Angus Ranch, Parma, Idaho; and Thomas Angus Ranch, Baker City, Ore. Additional stops include the Academy of Equine Dentistry at Glenns Ferry, Idaho; the National Fish Hatchery, Hagerman, Idaho; and the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, Baker City, Ore.

Other Idaho producers who will display cattle at the various stops include: TLC Angus, Bliss; Frisbie Cattle Co., Melba; Bell Key Angus, Nampa; Blue Sage Acres Ranch, Emmett; Colyer Cattle Co., Bruneau; WWW Cattle Co., Filer; Nelson Angus Ranch, Salmon; Salmon Tract Angus, Twin Falls; Sugar Top Angus, Jerome; Sawtooth Cattle Co., Gooding; Pristine Springs Angus, Jerome; Feasenhiser Angus, Fruitland; and Camas Prairie Angus, Grangeville.

Oregon producers slated to display cattle at the stops include Holiday Ranch, Terrebonne; Kessler Angus, Milton-Freewater; and Bar KD Ranch, Culver.

“The breeders in the Northwest are excited to host this tour and showcase a part of the country that not many people pass through and see,” says Rod Wesselman, American Angus Association regional manager. “We hope everyone will take the time to come to Boise for the National Conference and Tour, and the opportunity to meet the people and see their cattle.”

Producers interested in attending the event have just a few weeks left to take advantage of the early registration fee. Register by Aug. 25 for $75, which includes bus transportation, most meals and materials. After Aug. 25, the fee increases to $100 per person.

The Boise Doubletree Riverside is the event headquarters. A block of rooms has been reserved for $83, plus tax, per room. All attendees must make their own room reservations by calling the hotel directly at (208) 343-1871. Rooms in the Angus block will be available until Aug. 25. After that date, reservations will be made on a space and rate available basis. The hotel offers a complimentary shuttle to and from the Boise International Airport.

For more information about the tour, contact Shelia Stannard, American Angus Association events coordinator, at sstannard@angus.org, or visit www.nationalangusconference.com. Online registration is available.

— by Shelia Stannard, director of communications and events, American Angus Association