June 16, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:

Carrie Horsley, Angus Foundation director of marketing and public relations, at 816-383-5100 or chorsley@angusfoundation.org; or

Chase Adams, NCBA director of communications, at 202-879-9125 or cadams@beef.org.

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

NCBA’s 2015 Young Cattlemen’s Conference Recognizes Leaders

Katy Kemp, Texas, represents the Angus breed during the elite industry event.

More than 50 cattle producers from across the country and across the industry participated in the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) 2015 Young Cattlemen’s Conference (YCC). Representing the Angus Foundation and American Angus Association^® was Katy Kemp of Bridgeport, Texas.

“The 10-day journey was fast-paced and daunting at times, but I am incredibly blessed and honored to have been selected to attend on behalf of the Angus Foundation,” Kemp says. “There is a reason YCC is going on its 36^th year and continues to grow in alumni; it’s simply the premier event for young cattlemen who want to help serve the future of our great industry.”

Kemp is completing her master’s degree in agricultural communications from Oklahoma State University. She grew up active in the American Angus Association, and partners with her dad and brother on the family’s registered Angus herd.

A graduate of Texas A&M University, Katy earned her bachelor’s degree in animal science. Prior to returning to graduate school, she worked as the beef marketing specialist for ABS Global, Inc. and still works with ABS independently managing the marketing, advertising and communications while completing her research. She also writes as a beef industry intern for Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB).

According to NCBA, the aim of the YCC program is to give these young leaders an understanding of all aspects of the beef industry from grass to plate, and showcase issues management, research, education and marketing. Beginning in Colorado, the group got an inside look at many of the issues affecting the beef industry and the work being done on both the state and national level to address these issues on behalf of our membership. While in Denver, CattleFax provided a comprehensive overview of the current cattle market and emerging trends. At Safeway, the participants received a first-hand account of the retail perspective of the beef business and then toured the JBS Five Rivers’ Kuner feedyard, one of the largest in the nation, and the JBS Greeley packing and processing plant.

From Denver, the group traveled to Chicago where they were able to visit the Chicago Board of Trade, learning about risk-management and mitigation tools available to the cattle industry. In Chicago, they also visited McDonald’s Campus and OSI, one of the nation’s premiere beef patty producers. After the brief stop in Chicago, the group concluded their trip in Washington D.C. for an issue briefing on current policy priorities; including trade and Country-of-Origin Labeling and ample opportunity to visit with their congressional representatives.

With the beef industry changing rapidly, identifying and educating leaders has never been so important. As a grassroots trade association representing the beef industry the NCBA is proud to play a role in that process and its future success. Over 1,000 cattlemen and women have graduated from the YCC program since its inception in 1980. Many of these alumni have gone to serve in state and national committees, councils and boards. YCC is the cornerstone of leadership training in the cattle industry.

About the Angus Foundation

Each year, the Angus Foundation sponsors one individual to attend NCBA’s YCC conference. Established in 1980 as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization to support Angus education, youth and research. To learn more about the Angus Foundation and the programs it supports, call the Angus Foundation at 816-383-5100 or go to www.angusfoundation.org.

ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS. The American Angus Association is the nation’s largest beef breed organization, serving nearly 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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– Source: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association