There’s strong demand for Angus genetics, and the American Angus Association Board of Directors met this week in Saint Joseph, Mo., to discuss ways to keep providing its members with the tools and services to help keep them in the lead. Some of the topics covered in the quarterly meeting include: The Commercial Pathway, a new communication effort to help explain how the breed’s industry-facing genetic tools work together for commercial producers. Member feedback on everything from the request for a gestation-length expected progeny difference (EPD) to the decoupling of breed registration from EPDs. The Data Driven Herd Recognition Program and data submission overall. Storage of tissue samples and a looming challenge for archival. Research updates, such as $B validation work, cow efficiency and bovine congestive heart failure (BCHF) studies. International production of Certified Angus Beef ® to increase market access. January Angus Foundation events and fundraising success. The role of the Angus Journal ® as a membership communication tool. The in-depth discussion gives you a snippet of the conversations and a preview of the work being done in at the Association office on behalf of Angus breeders across the country. HOSTS: Miranda Reiman and Mark McCully GUESTS: Darrell Stevenson, vice president and vice chairman of the American Angus Association Board and native of White Sulphur Springs, Mont., holds strong ties to the Angus breed and a history of activity in the Montana Angus Association. In 2019 Stevenson and his wife, Sara, expanded from Hobson onto a new unit in White Sulphur Springs to establish a later-calving herd operating as Stevenson Down T. Although separated by a mountain range, Darrell continues to breed and market genetics with Stevenson Angus Ranch. Art Butler is the third generation to raise registered Angus cattle at Spring Cove Ranch in Bliss, Idaho. Spring Cove Ranch was settled in 1912 by his grandfather A.H. Butler, who chose to make his desert homestead around a natural spring in northwestern Gooding County, purchasing their first Angus cattle in 1919. After college graduation in 1978, Art returned to Spring Cove Ranch to continue the family tradition of raising Angus cows and kids. He and his wife, Stacy; son, Josh; and daughter, Sarah, manage the 350-head cow herd, producing all-purpose Angus cattle that will perform under the variety of range conditions of the West. Henry Smith is a fourth-generation Angus breeder who grew up on a diversified family farming operation in south-central Kentucky. The farming operation consisted of a registered Angus herd, burley tobacco, corn, soybeans, wheat for feed and cash market. The Smith family settled and began farming in the Fonthill community in 1810. Smith’s great-grandfather and his sons began the registered Angus seedstock operation in 1940, and it continues today with Smith raising the fifth generation invested in the Angus industry. For 33 years, he has successfully operated Smithland Angus Farm with his late father, Charles “Bud” Smith. Smith married his wife, Melissa, in 1997. They have two children, Bryanna and Blane. RELATED READING President's Letter Don't miss news in the Angus breed. Visit www.AngusJournal.net and subscribe to the AJ Daily e-newsletter and our monthly magazine, the Angus Journal.
