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Angus Selects the Next Youth Breed Ambassador
Arkansas’ Will Pohlman to serve the business breed for the upcoming year.
The National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) announces Will Pohlman, Prairie Grove, Ark., as the 2015-2016 Angus Ambassador, serving a one-year term as a spokesperson for the organization’s nearly 6,000 members at cattle industry events across the United States and Canada.
“Angus producers have a responsibility to be advocates,” Pohlman says. “As Angus Ambassador there is an ability to empower producers, whether it’s one-on-one with consumers at a store or writing articles and giving presentations.”
Pohlman, a junior at the University of Arkansas double majoring in biochemistry and animal science, was named the new Angus Ambassador during a competition July 23 at the American Angus Association® headquarters in Saint Joseph Mo. Joining him in the group of top finalists were Haley Throne, Lexington, Ga.; Sierra Day, Cerro Gordo, Ill.; and Dakota Lovett, Bladen, Neb.
“Will presented himself in a very professional manner and was easily relatable in both his interview and his presentation,” says Kasey Brown, Angus Journal associate editor and one of this year’s judges. “He had the data to back up his claims and has a very broad knowledge of the beef industry and Angus’ role within it.”
Judging the competition, along with Brown, were Adam Conover, Association regional manager for Iowa, Missouri and Arkansas; Tom Burke, Association board member; Brian Pine, K-Coe Isom field analyst, and Corbitt Wall, DV Auctions.
A former National Beef Ambassador, Pohlman’s involvement with the beef business runs deep. His family became involved in the Angus business when he was five and he became involved with the NJAA in 2006 when he attended his first National Junior Angus Show (NJAS).
“As producers, we want to talk to consumers about the benefits of beef and how Angus beef has been marketed,” Pohlman says.
To be considered for the ambassador position, each junior member submitted a cover letter, résumé and two essay responses. The top candidates were invited to the American Angus Association headquarters, where they gave a 3-5 minute presentation followed by 5 minutes of questions.
Pohlman’s presentation focused on Angus advocacy, and how producers can get out and connect with consumers. He revealed that within the conversation of beef and nutrition, Angus producers have a different story to tell. He stressed that with the Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) brand, Angus producers have unique opportunities available to them because of the recognition of the breed.
Funded by the Angus Foundation, the 2015-2016 Angus Ambassador will represent the breed at industry events throughout the United States and Canada, including the 2015 Angus Means Business National Convention & Trade Show; a CAB® Building Blocks seminar in Wooster, Ohio; the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Cattle Industry Annual Convention; the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Annual Research Symposium and Convention; and the Guiding Outstanding Angus Leaders (GOAL) Conference in Canada.
For more information about the NJAA or the Angus Ambassador program, visit www.ANGUS.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 and Canada. It provides programs and services to farmers, ranchers and others who rely on the power of 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’s programs and services, visit www.ANGUS.org.
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