News Update
April 21, 2009

Angus V.P. Jim Shirley Retires

Angus veteran Jim Shirley announced April 20 his retirement from the American Angus Association,® effective July 31.

“He’s been a great asset to this organization for 24 years,” said American Angus Association CEO Bryce Schumann. “We want to recognize and applaud that service. We’re going to miss him. I’m going to miss him.”

Shirley currently serves as vice president of industry relations and director of activities. In that position he has overseen administration of activities, junior activities, industry and member communications, and the regional manager field team. He has played a major role in the development of AngusSource® as a USDA Process-Verified Program (PVP) and in furthering member communications through vehicles such as the Outreach Seminars and Cattlemen’s Boot Camps.

The Southern Iowa native was promoted to his current position in May 2004 after serving 19 years as a regional manager for Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota. He was honored with the Top Livestock Marketeer Award by his peers at the 2001 National Western Stock Show (NWSS) in Denver.
Shirley says he has enjoyed working with Angus members and assisting in the progress they have made during his tenure, noting a marked increase in the quality and depth of quality in the breed that is available today.

“You used to see a few good Angus bulls that could combine phenotype with the data to back it up,” he says. “Today you can find those really good Angus cattle all over.”

He attributes that fact to members’ willingness to embrace and adopt new tools. “Angus breeders have always been accepting of technology, and they weren’t afraid to use data as the driving force in their selection programs,” he explains.

A true servant of the membership, Shirley says he’ll miss that interaction the most as he leaves to explore other opportunities that will afford him time to become more involved with family and in managing his home farm near Hamburg, Iowa. Jim and his wife, Linda, have two children, son Matthew and daughter Megan Jewett, and a new granddaughter, Madalyn Jewett.

Before joining the Association field staff, Shirley was an advertising salesman and events reporter for the Farm and Ranch Guide. He also served as the executive secretary for the American ShorthornAssociation and as an area coordinator for the American Polled Hereford Association. Shirley obtained his bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University and attended graduate school at New Mexico State University.

— Release provided by the American Angus Association.

Cattlemen’s Field Day May 30 in Loma

Cattle producers should plan to attend the first-ever Grand Valley Cattlemen’s Field Day, Saturday, May 30, at the Western Slope Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction in Loma, Colo.  The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and includes a wide variety of topics such as handling and horsemanship demonstrations.

Ty Groshans, director of commercial programs for the American Angus Association,® will discuss adding value to calves at marketing time and the importance of age and source verification using the AngusSource® program. In addition, staff from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) will discuss global markets and working with lawmakers to protect the beef industry. Other topics include animal health and ranch biosecurity, and effective cattle handling and ranch horsemanship, both by expert Curt Pate.

The field day is made possible by the NCBA, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Colorado Livestock Association, Colorado State University Extension, Fort Dodge Animal Health and the American Angus Association.

For more information about the program or to register, contact Dan McCarty at 303-565-0412 or e-mail dmccarty@beef.org. There is no cost to attend, but reservations are appreciated to help plan for lunch.

— Release provided by the American Angus Association.

OARDC to Build Ag Diseases Lab in Wooster

The Ohio State University (OSU) Board of Trustees has approved construction of a new biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) facility on the Wooster campus of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC).

The research arm of the university’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, OARDC will use the secure bio-containment laboratory to enhance its nationally and internationally recognized research programs on infectious diseases of plants and animals. The facility will further contribute to the viability of Ohio’s $90-plus billion agricultural sector, the largest industry in the state.

“This facility will allow our researchers to compete for new federal grants and will enable us to continue to meet industry and state expectations, providing proactive solutions to impending disease problems facing our plant and animal industries rather than being reactive once the problems occur,” OARDC Director Steve Slack said.

In addition to two BSL-3 labs, the Plant and Animal Agrosecurity Research (PAAR) Facility will include four BSL-3 Ag isolation rooms, which are needed to work with large animals such as cows and pigs. PAAR will be the only facility in Ohio and one of only five nationally with the capacity for both plant and animal research at these high safety levels.

Under federal guidelines, all facilities handling potentially infectious agents must adhere to strict procedures to ensure containment of these pathogens. Depending on the ease with which microorganisms can be transmitted, they are classified as BSL-1, BSL-2, BSL-3 or BSL-4, with BSL-4 carrying the highest risk of infection.

Ohio State operates several BSL-3 labs on its Columbus campus, but this is the first to be built on the Wooster campus.

The PAAR facility is expected to significantly boost research on a number of disease organisms and pests capable of causing billions of dollars in losses to crops, trees and livestock. Animal-borne diseases such as avian influenza can sicken humans as well, so the research conducted by OARDC scientists at PAAR is also expected to contribute to advancements in public health. However, no human studies will be conducted at this facility.

The new BSL-3 facility will comply with all federal, state and institutional regulations governing BSL-3 and BSL-3 Ag labs. It will be physically isolated and continually monitored. Access to the area will be limited and tightly controlled. The building will be constructed to be airtight, with outgoing air filtered to trap microorganisms and prevent them from spreading into other sections of the facility or out into the surrounding environment.

PAAR has a projected construction cost of $21.7 million. Funding for the facility comes from state of Ohio capital funds, OARDC funds and federal grants. Construction is expected to begin in September.

— Adapted from a release provided by OARDC.

Texas A&M Beef Center Show Cattle Camps Scheduled for May, June

The 4th annual Texas A&M University (TAMU) Beef Cattle Show Cattle Camp has scheduled two sessions, May 30-31 and June 6-7, in College Station.

Both sessions will be at the TAMU Beef Center, said Paul Maulsby, center manager.

The program is meant to help exhibitors gain success with their beef cattle projects, Maulsby said.

“The information is targeted toward the first-time exhibitor as well as the experienced showman,” he added. “The intention is to share the experience that the staff has gained showing champions throughout the state and the nation to impact the participants of the camp with the edge to help them find their place in the winner’s circle. Many of the sessions will be taught by leaders in our industry that evaluate cattle throughout Texas and the United States.”

Topics covered are general management practices of the beef cattle project, whether it be breeding heifers or steers, both haired and slick, he said.

“Additionally, intensive showmanship sessions will be available and directed by some of the most talented showmanship exhibitors and judges throughout the state,” he said.

Sessions will be address halter breaking calves, entries to the show, implant strategies (steers), estrous management for heifers, weight management for steers (weigh backs), transportation management, evaluation, fitting and grooming and management on show day.

Participants can bring their own animal or the Beef Center will have animals available for camp activities. Arrival for Camp I is Saturday, May 30 from 8-10 a.m. and sessions start at 10:30 that morning. Camp will end Sunday evening May 31 after the showmanship contest. Camp II arrival is Saturday, June 6, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., and sessions start at 10:30 that morning. Camp II will end Sunday evening, June 7, after the showmanship contest. Parents and leaders are welcome to attend and lodging is the responsibility of the participants. A block of rooms has been made available at the College Station Ramada Inn on University.

Participants will be provided meals throughout the camp and awards will be given for the showmanship contest.  The cost to each student in the camp is $175 with each additional parent or leader fee of $50.

For more information and scheduling, contact Maulsby at 979-587-2835. Information is also online at http://animal science.tamu.edu/main/sscamp.html.

— Release provided by Texas A&M University.

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