June 18, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:

Molly Witzel, public relations and communications intern, 816-383-5100 or printern@angus.org

Photos available at prphotos@angus.org or 816-383-5100.

South Carolina Represented at Beef Leaders Institute

Gary Coleman, C Calf Farms, Anderson, S.C., represented the state at the third annual Beef Leaders Institute (BLI), June 1-4, 2010.

Coleman was one of 20 Angus breeders from 12 states who joined together at the American Angus Association^® headquarters in Saint Joseph, Mo., to gain more awareness about the beef industry.

“The BLI introduced new environments to me, which will allow me to take the information back to my town and state for introduction,” Coleman says.

The four-day learning opportunity is designed to give applicants, age 25-45, a chance to meet with Association staff and industry representatives, learn about the different aspects of the beef industry and network with their Angus peers.

“The thing I liked about BLI was the ability to network with new cattlemen and cattlewomen,” Coleman says.

After tours and presentations of the American Angus Association and its entities – Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI), the Angus Foundation, Certified Angus Beef (CAB) LLC and Angus Productions Inc. (API) — the group traveled through eastern Nebraska and western Iowa for several in-depth tours of the beef production process, from feedlots to retail distributors.

Tour stops included, Gregory Feedlot, CAB-licensed feedlot, Tabor, Iowa,; Tyson, beef processing plant, Dakota City, Neb.; Whole Foods Market, grocery store, Omaha, Neb.; Cargill Meat Solutions, deli meat processing plant, Nebraska City, Neb.; Sysco Lincoln, warehouse and distribution center; and Igenity/GeneSeek, genetics lab, Lincoln, Neb

“Not only can I explain to the public how to raise cattle along with management, but I can back the information up with my own experiences that I have learned from places like BLI and not just books or local classrooms,” Coleman says. “I believe it is one thing to learn something by reading it, but I know for a fact that it is a lifelong experience that won’t fade once you do it in person.”

The purpose of BLI is to give producers a general knowledge of food production and expose them to unfamiliar facets of the beef industry. The goal of the program is for participants to develop leadership skills so they can be advocates for the beef industry in their local areas.

For more information about the Beef Leaders Institute or the American Angus Association, visit www.angus.org or call (816)-383-5100.

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