July 2, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
Clint Mefford, director of communications
816-383-5143
11th Annual Beef Leaders Institute Inspires
Young Cattlemen
Tour provides Angus
members insight on all aspects of beef production chain.
Nearly 25 American Angus Association® members traveled from multiple states for an in-depth cattle industry tour through the Beef Leaders Institute (BLI). Hosted by the American Angus Association and sponsored by Certified Angus Beef® (CAB) and the Angus Foundation, BLI is a complete pasture-to-plate experience for young leaders in the Angus industry. The tour takes participants on a five-day expedition to study quality genetics, genomic technology, feed yard management, packing plants, foodservice and retail distribution of CAB and much more.
The yearly event was hosted June 18-23 and began at the Angus Association headquarters in Saint Joseph, Missouri. Participants were given a look at the interworkings of the Association by staff members and representatives.
“BLI is an
educational partnership between the Angus Foundation and the Certified Angus Beef brand,” said Kara
Lee, production brand manager for CAB. “Ultimately, its targeted toward young
Angus breeders who are interested in expanding their knowledge base, building
their leadership skills and just getting a better appreciation for the entire
production system. We cover everything from the tools the American Angus
Association offers all the way to how consumers utilize the Certified Angus Beef brand.”
The goal is to provide young producers between the ages of 25 and 45 the opportunity to network with their peers in the Angus breed, and they learn about Association programs, sectors of the beef business after cattle leave the ranch and how cattle qualify for CAB. Participants were selected through an application process and are exceptional leaders who represent the Angus breed and cattle industry.
“While visiting the CAB headquarters, we gave participants the opportunity to look at a carcass and explore the 10 carcass specifications that make up the Certified Angus Beef brand quality standards,” said Diana Clark, meat scientist for CAB. “We wanted to show the producer group the added value they can receive when their cattle meet the CAB specifications. We were also able to break down a side of beef to look at where the specific value comes from in each primal, which I think was really eye-opening for them.”
This year marked the 11th annual BLI. Throughout the week, participants visited GeneSeek Neogen Operations in Lincoln, Nebraska; Weborg Feeding Co., in Pender, Nebraska; Trans Ova in Sioux City, Iowa; the Tyson Fresh Meats processing facility in Dakota City, Iowa.; Sysco in Cleveland, Ohio; and a retail store at Giant Eagle’s Market District Supermarket in Cleveland, Ohio, concluding at the CAB headquarters in Wooster, Ohio.
Participants experienced all sectors of the beef business, from start to finish. Through interaction with industry experts, they cultivated a vision to improve their own operations as well as the entire industry.
“I wanted to attend the Beef Leaders Institute because we talk to so many people at the Association every day,” said Kathleen Evans, producer from Hope Hull, Alabama. “I wanted to meet the people I talk to and see how things work at the Association on a day-to-day basis. Having the opportunity to travel to the different stops and experience all facets of the industry while networking with fellow participants was really exciting.”
While it may not always be easy to leave the farm for five days, the opportunity to learn about what goes on off the ranch builds a new mindset and reinstates a passion for the Angus breed in those who attend.
“Through this experience, I’ve learned there is a lot out there I still need to learn,” said Zane Troxtel, producer from Geraldine, Alabama. “I’ve really liked hearing from everyone and how they do things in other parts of the country. One of the reasons I wanted to come to this event was to see not only what the Association is doing, but what other cattlemen in other operations are doing as well. The people have really made this trip memorable for me.”
A complete list of 2018 BLI participants follows. For more information on how to participate in the leadership event, visit www.angus.org. Applications for the 2019 class will be available online this fall.
– Written by Katy Holdener, Angus
Communications.
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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Beef Leaders Institute – Class of 2018
Vawnita
Best, Watford City, ND
Scott
Cherne, Guttenberg, IA
David
De Spain, Joseph City, AZ
Kathleen
Evans, Hope Hull, AL
Troy
Gabriel, Midland, SD
Jeff
Gatrel, Cowgill, MO
Katie
Kaliff-Jagels, Davenport, NE
Tierra
Kessler, Milton-Freewater, OR
George
Kite, North Chesterfield, VA
Zac
Longanecker, Lithia, FL
Odessa
Mathias, Lusk, WY
Jacob
Moore, Scio, OH
Robert
Rice, Terrel, TX
Jeff
Ruggles, McCook, NE
Tim
Skinner, Hall, MT
Ezra
Swope, New Enterprise, PA
Natlie Tokach, Mandan, ND
Hannah
Tolbert, Harrodsburg, KY
Zane
Troxtel, Geraldine, AL
Ethan
Ulmanis, Koshkonong, MO
Drake
Yon, Ridge Spring, SC
American Angus Representatives:
Caitlyn
Brandt, Saint Joseph, MO
Ellen
Cassady, Saint Joseph, MO
Katy
Holdener, Saint Joseph, MO
Kurt
Kangas, Big Timber, MT
Kathy
LaScala, Saint Joseph, MO
Jake
Pickering, Paso Robles, CA
Rod
Schoenbine, Wooster, OH
Kristen
Toll, Saint Joseph, MO