March 11, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:
Jena McRell, digital editor, at 816-383-5100 or jmcrell@angus.media; or

Milford Jenkins, Angus Foundation president, at 816-383-5100 or mjenkins@angusfoundation.org.

PHOTO: Available upon request via prphotos@angus.org.

Cody Sankey Selected for Young Cattlemen’s Conference

The Angus Foundation sponsors one individual for the elite leadership experience.

Cody Sankey of Economy, Ind., will represent the American Angus Association and the business breed during the 2016 Young Cattlemen’s Conference (YCC), hosted June 1-9 by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). The annual event is considered the premier leadership development program within the cattle industry, and the Angus Foundation is proud to sponsor one attendee each year.

Throughout the weeklong experience, YCC participants travel the country to witness all levels of beef production, hone their leadership skills and gain a better understanding of policy issues affecting cattlemen and women. This year marks the 37^th annual YCC, and to qualify, an individual must be nominated by one of NCBA’s affiliate members, be between the ages of 25 and 50, and be an NCBA member.

“The Young Cattlemen’s Conference is truly an eye-opening experience for many future leaders in the beef business,” says Milford Jenkins, Angus Foundation president. “We’re grateful to our donors who make sponsorships, like this one, possible for deserving young people. Cody Sankey will represent the Angus breed proudly and bring back lessons to help move our business forward.”

A lifelong Angus breeder and Association member, Sankey grew up in Council Grove, Kan., on his family’s ranching operation, Sankey’s 6N Ranch. He was an active member of the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA), and continues his involvement today by serving as the second vice-president of the Indiana Angus Association. He was also elected president of the South Eastern Indiana Angus District Association.

“As a member of the largest beef breed in the country, it’s important for us to lead and be involved,” Sankey says. “Being involved in the YCC program will allow me to submerse myself into areas of our industry that I’m not as familiar with, and the issues that will impact me as a young producer.”

Sankey serves as the key accounts manager for BioZyme Inc., representing the entire United States. He attended Oklahoma State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a master’s in ruminant nutrition. Sankey was also part of the 2001 National Champion Livestock Judging Team. Before his current role with BioZyme, Sankey managed Michigan State University’s Purebred Beef Cattle center and coached livestock judging.

He and his wife, Lindsay, remain involved with the family’s Angus herd and travel the country attending shows and events.

“I look forward to sharing the knowledge and experience I gain from YCC with my fellow Angus breeders so we can continue to position Angus cattle as industry leaders for generations to come,” Sankey says.

The 2016 YCC tour begins in Denver, Colo., with a comprehensive overview of the industry. According to NCBA, the group will take an in-depth look at many of the issues affecting the beef industry, how the organization addresses these issues, and an industry outlook report from CattleFax. Participants will then travel to JBS Five Rivers’ Kuner Feedyard, one of the nation’s largest cattle feeding operations, with a one-time capacity of 100,000-plus head in northern Colorado. The group will also tour the JBS Greeley facility, one of the nation’s largest beef packing and processing plants.

After leaving Colorado, the group heads east to visit the Chicago Board of Trade and OSI Inc., one of the nation’s premier beef patty manufacturers. Then it’s off to Washington, D.C., to meet with legislators and hear from federal official who make decisions affecting agriculture.

Visit the NCBA website to learn more about YCC, or view a list of previous Angus representatives at www.angusfoundation.org.

About Angus Foundation

Established as a 501(c)(3) organization in 1980, the Angus Foundation remains focused on its mission to support Angus education, youth and research. The organization has presented more than $2.4 million in youth scholarships since 1998, and has also invested more than $1 million in beef cattle research throughout the past decade.

For more information, contact the Angus Foundation at 816-383-5100 or visit www.angusfoundation.org.

ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS. The American Angus Association is the nation’s largest beef breed organization, serving more than 25,000 members across the United States, Canada and several other countries. It’s home to an extensive breed registry that grows by nearly 300,000 animals each year. The Association also provides programs and services to farmers, ranchers and others who rely on Angus to produce quality genetics for the beef industry and quality beef for consumers.

For more information about Angus cattle and the American Angus Association, visit www.angus.org.

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