News Update

April 7, 2017

Angus Members: Are You Eligible to Vote?

Preparations for the 2017 Annual Convention of Delegates have begun. The American Angus Association will mail delegate nomination forms only to active regular and life members who qualify as eligible voting members prior to the deadline of 4:30 p.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT) on April 7, 2017.

To be active and eligible, you must be at least 18 years of age, as well as a life or regular member, when the nomination period begins (April 10, 2017). Dues must be current and paid in full. In addition, you must have registered at least one animal or have conducted a minimum $250 worth of business with the American Angus Association or Angus Genetics Inc. within the 12 months preceding the nomination period (April 10, 2016-April 7, 2017).

Please make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements by the close of business (4:30 p.m. CDT) April 7. Members can determine their eligibility status through AAA Login at My Account > Your American Angus Association Information.

The Association’s annual meeting will be convened Monday, Nov. 6, during the Angus Convention in Fort Worth, Texas.

— Announcement from Shauna Hermel, Angus Media.

A Simple Gift

Changes are part of life, but people don’t go looking for more than they want or need. That’s especially true for those who follow the simple way in harmony with their Creator.

David Zeiset is among those who show that the gift to be simple is the gift to produce the best. His family operates a high-quality commercial-Angus herd of 150 cows 9 miles west of Chickasha, Okla., where earlier generations owned Herefords and milked Holsteins.

He was born here and grew up helping his mom, dad and seven siblings milk cows, tend chickens, put up hay and pick cotton. He and wife Shirlene raised their children here, a few steps away from an overlook of the farmstead his grandfather built 100 years ago.

“We believe in simplicity, economy and modesty,” Zeiset says, noting a Biblical life basis from 1 Corinthians 3:9, which says we are God’s co-workers (“For we are laborers together with God; ye are God’s husbandry; ye are God’s building.” 21st Century King James version)

Read the complete Angus Journal feature online.

— Adapted from an article by Katie Alexander, Certified Angus Beef LLC.

K-State Crowned National Champion
Meat Animal Evaluation Team

The Kansas State University (K-State) Meat Animal Evaluation Team won National Champion honors in the 2017 Collegiate Meat Animal Evaluation Contest in Manhattan, Kan. The team was recognized Tuesday, April 4, at the Stanley Stout Center following the three-day competition.

The event, previously known as the AKSARBEN contest, now rotates between host institutions across the country. The competition includes live market animal carcass predictions and pricing, breeding animal evaluation and meat judging competition and truly serves as a capstone judging experience for students with its incorporation of so many industry applicable concepts.

The team first won the market animal, breeding, swine and communication divisions of the contest.

Individually K-State had three place in the top 10 overall. Chase Gleason, Uniontown, Kan., won the high individual title. Shelby Teague, Fort Morgan, Colo., placed third overall and Brooke Jensen, Courtland, Kan., was fourth overall. (See complete individual and team results below.)

For more information, read the K-State news release online.

— Adapted from a release by K-State Animal Sciences and Industry.

University of Missouri Reinstates Livestock Judging Team

The University of Missouri (MU) announced April 5 that it will reinstate its livestock judging program. The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association (MCA) was quick to applaud the announcement.

“MCA has been a vocal and relentless proponent of bringing the livestock judging program back to the University,” said MCA Executive Vice President Mike Deering. “We were losing a lot of great young leaders to other universities outside of Missouri since the program was eliminated. There is no doubt that judging provides students with leadership skills that certainly jump-start their career path.”

The program will be reinstated starting in the fall semester of 2017. The team will be coached by Britton Francis, a native of Paris, Mo. Francis will enter the graduate program in animal science pursuing a Master’s degree beginning in August.

View the full MCA news release online.

— Adapted from a release by the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association’s Prime Cuts™.

Seeking Input from Agricultural Producers

Farmers and ranchers in New Mexico shared their ideas and concerns with top New Mexico agricultural officials during the first of three listening sessions.

New Mexico Department of Agriculture Secretary Jeff Witte and New Mexico State University (NMSU) College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences Dean Rolando Flores conducted the listening session March 24 in Portales during the annual New Mexico Ag Expo.

Topics of discussion ranged from the public’s perception of agriculture and the national Farm Bill to agricultural resources for middle school students, genetically modified organisms and the status of the college’s Agricultural Experiment Station, which leads the research activity for the college.

Learn more by reading the NMSU news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Darrell Pehr, New Mexico State University.

— Compiled by Paige Nelson, field editor, Angus Media.