News & Notes
Stay current with headlines important to today’s beef producer.
August 1, 2025
AngusLink sale listings are back
Just in time for a busy summer sale season, AngusLinkSM’s “feeder cattle for sale listings” have returned. Weekly email updates will be delivered to those who subscribe to receive them every Monday morning, highlighting Genetic Merit ScorecardSM and AngusVerifiedSM lots for sale.
Go to https://www.angus.org/anguslink/findcattle to view a current calendar of sales. Click on the sales you’re interested in to access a list of lots consigned to that sale.
You can also now stay up to date on recently sold lots with AngusVerified claims and the Genetic Merit Scorecard. Go to https://www.angus.org/anguslink/findcattle/results to view results.
Haney named Angus regional manager
Trevor Haney of Hope Hull, Ala., began his role as regional manager for the American Angus Association May 12, covering the states of Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. Haney will serve as an Association resource for producers using registered Angus genetics.
“It means a lot to be able to return home to use my skills to serve producers,” says Haney, who graduated from Texas Christian University’s ranch management program in May. “Growing up in the area, I am familiar with the environment, the industry and the unique challenges and opportunities available to producers.”
Haney has a degree in ag leadership and animal science from Mississippi State University. While at Mississippi State, he sought opportunities to expand his understanding of the cattle industry through internships with Five Rivers Cattle Feeding in Texas and Mississippi State University Extension.
The Alabama native grew up outside of Montgomery on a commercial and seedstock operation, showed cattle, participated in junior breed programs and was involved in livestock judging.
Beef Leaders Institute offers week learning supply chain
An ambitious group of Angus breeders from across the globe attended the 2025 Beef Leaders Institute, spending a week learning about the beef supply chain. The topic of the week was “from pasture to plate” as 23 Angus producers spent five days looking at the big picture of the cattle industry as part of the annual Beef Leaders Institute (BLI).
The event is hosted by the American Angus Association in collaboration with Certified Angus Beef (CAB) and the Angus Foundation.
Get the full report, including an overview of the itinerary and participant comments, at https://www.angus.org/angus-media/angus-journal/2025/06/bli.
The 2025 Beef Leaders Institute class gathers outside of the American Angus Association’s headquarters in Saint Joseph, Mo., during one of their educational stops.
New boots on the ground as 10 interns join team
Ten interns are joining the staffs of the American Angus Association, Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI), Angus Media and Certified Angus Beef this summer.
Shelby Greiman is the events and junior activities intern. Andre Lima and Sergio Sierra will intern with AGI. Ashlyn Murdock is joining the American Angus Association as the communications intern. Cassidy Strommen and Jenna Whitaker are interning with Angus Media.
Grace Greer, Alexandria “Alex” Ramirez, Olivia Rooker and Araceli Sanchez are interning with the CAB team.
For more details, see the full article at https://www.angus.org/angus-media/angus-journal/2025/06/aaa-interns.
Angus youth take home $240,000 in scholarships
During the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) hosted in Tulsa, Okla., the Angus Foundation awarded more than $240,000 to members of the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA).
Since 1998, the Angus Foundation has awarded nearly $5 million in undergraduate and graduate scholarships. Various individual educational scholarships ranged from $500 to $10,000. Travel sponsorships to meetings, such as the LEAD (Leaders Engaged in Angus Development) Conference, were also awarded.
“The Angus Foundation is thankful for our donors who graciously give to support our young leaders and their future endeavors,” says Jaclyn Boester, Angus Foundation executive director. “We’re proud to be able to make an impact on so many of our outstanding Angus leaders.”
View results of the 2025 NJAS at www.njas.info. Additional coverage is also available on the NJAA social media channels and in the September issue of the Angus Journal®.
Roadless Rule rescinded, axing impediment to responsible forest management
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced June 23 during a meeting of the Western Governors’ Association in New Mexico that USDA is rescinding the 2001 Roadless Rule. According to a USDA release, the outdated administrative rule contradicts the will of Congress and goes against the mandate of the U.S. Forest Service to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands. Rescinding the rule, it said, will remove prohibitions on road construction, reconstruction and timber harvest on nearly 59 million acres of the National Forest System, allowing for fire prevention and responsible timber production.
Of the 58.5 million acres of inventoried roadless areas covered under the 2001 Roadless Rule, 28 million acres are in areas at high or very high risk of wildfire. Rescinding this rule will allow this land to be managed at the local forest level, with more flexibility to take swift action to reduce wildfire risk and help protect surrounding communities and infrastructure.
Association honors two herds with Historic Herd Award
The American Angus Association recently honored two herds with the Historic Angus Herd Award, recognizing breeders and immediate families who have been in continuous production of registered-Angus cattle for 50 years or more. Honored were Kenneth and Macil Laughlin of Guilford, Mo., and Whitaker’s Family Farm of Smyrna, S.C.
Macil Laughlin and family received the Historic Angus Herd Award given to breeders who have shown dedication and support for the breed throughout their lives. Pictured are (from left) Kellan, Tristan, Macil, Don, Kendyl, Gentry and Ellene Laughlin.
Whitaker’s Family Farm received the Historic Angus Herd Award. Pictured are (from left) Dalton Funderburke and Ramey, Shane, Annette, Susan, Cody and Michaela Whitaker.
Laughlin Angus Growing up, Kenneth Laughlin watched his father and grandfather experiment with other cattle breeds, but they always came back to Angus for its superior quality and high demand. So, when the time came for Kenneth and his wife, Macil, to start their own operation in Guilford, Mo., in 1959, the Angus breed was an easy choice for them.
The Laughlins’ first purchase was a single Angus cow for $300. After Kenneth’s passing in 1987, Macil, with the help of sons Dennis and Don, took over management of their operation, where she was actively involved until her passing in 2024. Today, Don manages the farm.
Don served as a regional manager for the American Angus Association for 28 years before being promoted to director of member services, where he served until 2014. Today he manages approximately 200 head of cattle and merchandises seedstock across the region.
Click here for more details.
Whitaker’s Family Farm was founded in 1971 by Jacky D. and Annette Whitaker. The farm was established when Annette purchased a single heifer from David Gibbons of Blacksburg, S.C., as a birthday gift to her husband, Jacky. He was so impressed with the Angus heifer that he went back and bought several more from Gibbons and began researching Angus cows.
Jacky used the knowledge he gained to breed cattle that both he and his customers found quality and value in — deep-bodied, long, straight-backed animals that could carry their value.
After Jacky’s passing in 2020, son Shane Whitaker stepped in to help Annette manage the farm and obtained part ownership. They manage a herd of 34 cows, carrying on the breeding practices Jacky instilled over the years.
Click here for more details.
Visit www.angus.org for more information about the Historic Angus Herd Award or to view a list of awarded members since the program began in 1988.
Topics: News , Events , Industry News , Association News , Policy
Publication: Angus Beef Bulletin
Issue: September 2025
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Current Angus Beef Bulletin
Our November issue is focused on having your herd winter-ready and features ranches honored by Certified Angus Beef.
