April 22, 2010

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

For more information contact:

Crystal Albers, assistant director of communications/web editor, 816-383-5100 or calbers@angus.org

 

 

Angus Producers to ÔMeet in MontanaÕ

Mark your calendars for the National Angus Conference & Tour, set for Bozeman, Mont., Sept. 15-17.

 

The popular National Angus Conference & Tour (NAC&T) returns this fall and is set to draw a crowd. Following a one-year hiatus for last yearÕs World Angus Forum, the NAC&T will resurface Sept. 15-17 in Bozeman, Mont.

The American Angus Association¨ and the South Montana Angus Association will host the conference and tour, themed ÒMeet in MontanaÓ and sponsored by Land OÕLakes Purina Feed LLC and Alpharma Animal Health.

ÒAngus members and enthusiasts are going to thoroughly enjoy the tour planned for this year in Big Sky Country,Ó said Shelia Stannard, Association director of activities and events. ÒWeÕve also put together an outstanding slate of conference speakers covering an array of topics from marketing to being a spokesperson for the agricultural industry.Ó

An optional golf tournament sponsored by the South Montana Angus Association will take place beginning 10 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 14, at the Bridger Creek Golf Course in Bozeman.

The official conference will then kick off Wednesday, Sept. 15, at the Gran Tree hotel in Bozeman, Mont., with a welcome by Association President Bill Davis.

Tracey Erickson, Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) vice president of marketing, will discuss bridging the gap from producer to consumer and will share insights on how the worldÕs most successful branded beef program goes to market and engages consumers.

Chef John Doherty, CAB Quality Ambassador and former executive chef of The Waldorf=Astoria New York, will discuss how he inspired a culinary team to greatness and relied on the Certified Angus Beef¨ brand as a pillar of quality.

Participants will then hear from Charlie Powell, a 20-year senior public information officer for Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Powell will discuss his experiences in crisis and risk communications as well as media relations during his time at WSU and as a longtime public information director for the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association.

Lee Dickerson, Purina director of national accounts and cattle distribution, will explain sustained nutrition strategies; while Randy Blach, CEO of Cattle-Fax — an organization focused on cattle and beef industry market information — will discuss the state of the beef industry and opportunities ahead.

ÒWe are pleased to have established a tradition of sponsoring the National Angus Conference and Tour,Ó said Rodney Nulik, marketing manager for Land OÕ Lakes Purina Feed. ÒWe greatly enjoy our continued partnership with the American Angus Association, its fine staff, along with dedicated volunteer leaders and the membership.

ÒIf ÔMeet in MontanaÕ holds true to previous events, it will be packed with helpful information accompanied by great food and fellowship. We share the sponsorship again with one of our excellent corporate partners, Alpharma Animal Health.Ó

The tour will begin Wednesday afternoon following the conference, with an initial stop at KG Ranch near Three Forks, where guests will survey the ranch and other cattle on display before enjoying dinner.

The tour will begin again Thursday, with stops throughout southern Montana including: Hyline Angus, Bozeman; Armstrong Angus Ranch, Cardwell; Wheeler Mountain Ranch, Whitehall; Split Diamond Ranch, Whitehall; and Van Dyke Angus Ranch, Manhattan.

FridayÕs tour stops include Montana State University Bioscience Lab, Bozeman; Leachman Angus Ranch, Toston; Sitz Angus Ranch, Harrison; and an optional South Montana Angus Association Elite Female Sale at KG Ranch. Other herds throughout the region will also be on display at many of the stops, and CAB will sponsor a portion of tour meals.

Registration is available online at www.angus.org. Early registration costs $125 per person if paid on or prior to Aug. 13. Registration costs $150 if paid after Aug. 13. Registration for the optional golf tournament Sept. 14 costs $60 per golfer and includes18 holes and a cart. Contact Patti Davis at 406-570-1541 to register or for more information about the tournament.

Attendees should make their own hotel reservations. The GranTree will serve as hotel headquarters. Call 406-587-5261 to make reservations, and ask for the Angus block 804948. Other hotels with Angus room blocks near the headquarters include: Holiday Inn, 406-587-4561; and Days Inn & Suites, 406-587-5251.

For more information about the NAC&T, visit www.nationalangusconference.com; or contact Shelia Stannard at 816-383-5100 or sstannard@angus.org; or Monica Jordan at mjordan@angus.org.

A tentative schedule follows.

 

 

2010 National Angus Conference & Tour

SCHEDULE

 

Tuesday, Sept 14

            10 a.m.                        South Montana Angus Association Golf Tournament, Bridger Creek Golf Course

 

            2-5:30 p.m.      Registration, Gran Tree

 

            6-8 p.m.           Welcome reception, Gran Tree

Wednesday, Sept 15

            6:30 a.m.         Breakfast

 

            7 a.m.              Registration opens

 

            8 a.m.              National Angus Conference begins

 

                                    Welcome – Bill Davis, President, American Angus Association

 

                                    Bridging the Gap from Producer to Consumer  

                                                Tracey Erickson, Certified Angus Beef LLC

                                               

                                    Leadership in the Kitchen and Dining Room

                                                Chef John Doherty, Wolfpak Hospitality

 

                                    Break

 

                                    Why Animal Industries are so Vulnerable to TodayÕs Instantaneous Communications                                                          Charlie Powell, Washington State University

 

                                    Sustained Nutrition and Lifetime Performance

                                                Dr. Lee Dickerson, Purina LLC

            12:15 p.m.       Lunch

 

                                    State of the Beef Industry with a Focus on the Opportunities that Lie Ahead                                                             Randy Blach, Cattle Fax

 

                                    Conference wrap-up

                                                Bryce Schumann, American Angus Association CEO

 

            3:15 p.m.         Load buses

 

                                    Depart for KG Ranch; Kick off National Angus Tour

 

                                    KG Ranch, Three Forks – Dinner

                                                Guests: Heide Angus, Timberline Angus, Alberda Angus &

              Circle L

 

            7 p.m.              Load buses

 

                                    Depart KG Ranch

 

            8:15 p.m.         Arrive Gran Tree

Thursday, Sept 16

 

            7:15 a.m.         Load buses at Gran Tree – Day 1 National Angus Tour

 

                                    Hyline Angus, Bozeman – Breakfast

           

                                    Armstrong Angus Ranch, Cardwell

                                               

                                    Wheeler Mountain Ranch, Whitehall – Lunch

                                                Guest: South Boulder Angus

 

                                    Split Diamond Ranch, Whitehall

 

                                     Van Dyke Angus Ranch, Manhattan – Dinner

Guests: Yadon Angus Ranch, Kimm Angus, PAPA             Livestock,                                   

             Westra Angus

 

7 p.m.                          Arrive Gran Tree

 

 

Friday, Sept 17

 

            6:45 a.m.         Load buses at Gran Tree – Day 2 National Angus Tour

 

                                     Montana State University Bioscience Lab – Breakfast

 

                                     Leachman Angus Ranch, Toston

                                                Guests: Thousand Hills Angus, GaLor Angus, Reyher Embryonics

                       

                                    Sitz Angus Ranch, Harrison – Lunch

 

            2:30 p.m.         Buses depart for either Gran Tree or

                                                KG Ranch (South Montana Angus Association  Elite Female Sale)

 

            3:30 p.m.         Buses arrive at Gran Tree for afternoon departures

 

OR

 

            4 p.m.              Sale at KG Ranch

 

            6 p.m.              Buses depart after sale

 

            7 p.m.              Buses arrive at Gran Tree following sale

 

 

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