I have it framed on my desk as a daily reminder to me of our organizational priorities. Our mission statement includes, “improve and promote the Angus breed.” Our organizational charter defines the roles of the American Angus Association, including one specifically being to provide information and data to promote the Angus breed. Bottom line, a core purpose of the Association is to enable breeders to improve the Angus breed. 

Discussions around the methane and cow efficiency research project have sparked a wave of conversations with members. These exchanges have been insightful, revealing a wide range of perspectives on what it means for the Association to “drive breed improvement.” While every breeder I’ve spoken with is striving to make each calf crop better than the last, the definition of “better” — and how to achieve it — varies greatly.

Within our Angus family, there’s a broad spectrum of philosophies. Some members look to the Association to harness every available data point, scientific breakthrough and innovative tool to guide their selection decisions. They even look at other species and make comparisons to the limited number of tools we have compared to a dairy breeder.  

On the other end, there are those most confident with a pedigree and their ability to match sires and dams through visual appraisal with little to no reliance on expected progeny differences (EPDs) or selection indexes. Some breeders would place themselves somewhere between those two ends. The diversity of approach and philosophy is understandable and valuable, but it also poses one of the most significant challenges for us as a breed as we think about providing value today and — crucially ­­— for generations to come.

A recurring theme in my discussions with members has been the pace of genetic and seedstock innovation. Some feel the Association pushes too rapidly, risking change merely for change’s sake. Others believe progress is too slow, fearing we could fall dangerously behind privately held genetics or other breeds. Balancing these contrasting views is a constant task for our Board and staff as we engage in long-range planning, make key decisions and allocate resources. 

How does the Association serve those looking for cutting edge and speed while acknowledging those feeling their association is driving unwelcome changes and maybe even working against them? How do we provide a large toolbox for breeders to pick from at their preference without breeders feeling these tools are being forced upon them? Most importantly, how do we manage the tension within our organization as the ends of the spectrum get further apart? These are very difficult questions, but ones your Board and staff are committed to working on. 

The past few months have reminded me not all our members see the world the same, and they don’t all prioritize the Association efforts in the same order — and that is OK. What unites us is a shared belief that “good enough” has never been good enough for Angus. History shows when Angus breeders focus on improvement, great things happen.

As we move forward, I encourage every member to stay engaged. Social media has its place, but honestly it can be very hard to separate valuable feedback from noise. I appreciate those who’ve taken the time to email or call the Board; participate in delegate elections; made plans to attend the annual meeting; and stay informed through the Angus Journal, our website, podcasts and other channels. Your involvement shapes the future of this organization.

Together, informed and engaged, we’ll continue to thrive and keep the Angus breed at the forefront of the industry.