News Update

News Update
May 31, 2007

Online Coverage of BIF Meeting Begins June 7

SAINT JOSEPH, MO (May 31, 2007) — Cattlemen interested in genetic improvement will want to catch Angus Productions Inc.’s (API’s) coverage of the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) annual meeting and research symposium next week.

BIF will return to its Rocky Mountain roots by celebrating its 40^th anniversary June 6-9 in Fort Collins, Colo. Attendees will consider conference themes “Performance Programs at a Crossroads” and “Challenges to Convential Wisdom.” However, even producers who can’t make it to the conference have the opportunity to stay informed.

API, publisher of the Angus Journal and Angus Beef Bulletin, will partner with Biozyme Inc. to provide online coverage of the conference as it unfolds at www.BIFconference.com. Biozyme is sponsoring this year’s coverage as part of its gift to the Angus Foundation.

Summaries of this year’s presentations — along with accompanying proceedings, photos, PowerPoints and audios when available — will be added to the web site shortly after the presentation, often within 16 hours. Additionally, API staff will provide recognition of award winners and photo galleries from the producer tour.

“This is our sixth year to provide online coverage of BIF’s annual meeting and research symposium. With its focus on performance evaluation, genetic selection and genetic prediction, we consider this one of the must-attend meetings to keep our readers the most informed cattlemen in the beef industry,” says API Editor Shauna Rose Hermel, who adds coverage will also appear in the August Angus Journal.

Mark Enns, chair of the BIF program committee, shares this enthusiasm about the timely topics the conference will cover and says he hopes to reach as many people as possible.

“We’re extremely excited to be hosting the 40^th anniversary of BIF back in Colorado,” Enns says. “However, we know that no location works for everybody, and there is no good time to hold a meeting from a beef production standpoint in the U.S. Someone is always going to be calving. That’s why it’s so exciting that producers who can’t be at the conference can come in from the field and read about and even listen to the presentations.”

Visit www.BIFconference.com to view the schedule and follow the progress of the meeting. For more information about the conference, contact Enns at 970-491-2722 or mark.enns@colorstate.edu or Willie Altenburg, 2007 BIF committee chair, at 970-568-7881 or willie@rmi.net. For information about API’s online coverage, contact Hermel at shermel@angusjournal.com or 816-383-5270.

— by Chelsea Good, Angus Productions Inc.

NJAS approaching fast

The 2007 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) will be July 1-7, in Tulsa, Okla. This event showcases the youth of the Angus breed and activities of the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA). It is the largest event the American Angus Association(SM) coordinates during the year, and it is well worth your time if you’ve never attended.

The Oklahoma and Arkansas Angus associations — adult, junior and auxiliary — will host the event, themed “The American Dream,” at the Tulsa Expo Center.

Juniors will exhibit heifers, bulls, cow-calf pairs and steers. There is a carcass contest with special emphasis on meeting Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) product specifications.

Angus youth will participate in public speaking, poster design, creative writing, graphic design, photography, Cook-Off, and state junior association scrapbook contests. Rules for all of the contests are available online at www.njaa.info.

State showmanship winners will compete for national honors at the 41st National Junior Angus Showmanship Contest.

Delegates from state junior associations will elect six new directors to the NJAA Board.

A preliminary schedule was published on pages 116-117 of the May Angus Journal. For the most up-to-date schedule and hotel information, call the Junior Activities Department or go to www.njaa.info.

— Information provided by the American Angus Foundation.

Tee up at seventh annual golf tournament

The seventh Annual Angus Foundation Golf Tournament will be Tuesday, July 3, at the Forest Ridge Golf Club in Broken Arrow, Okla., in conjunction with the NJAS. This event provides an opportunity for Angus enthusiasts of all ages to join together in a day of fun and recreation while raising money to support the Angus Foundation’s education, youth and research programs.

Player entry fees will again be $100 for adults and $75 for junior Angus members. Player registrations must be received by Friday, June 15. A late fee of $10 will be applied to players registering after June 15.

All proceeds from the event benefit the Angus Foundation, which supports education, youth and research. For more information about signing up a team, contact the Angus Foundation.

— Information provided by the Angus Foundation.

Silent Auction will support Foundation

A silent auction featuring a variety of Angus items will be conducted during the 2007 NJAS in Tulsa. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the Angus Foundation. Many valuable items and collectibles will be up for grabs.

All state junior associations are encouraged to donate an item to the auction, but donations from individuals are also accepted. To donate items contact the Angus Foundation.

— Information provided by the Angus Foundation.