July 27, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:

JD Rosman, communications intern, at 816-383-5104 or jdrosman.intern@angus.media

PHOTOS: Available upon request via prphotos@angus.org

Angus Ambassador Finalist, Dakota Lovett

Nebraska junior selected as a finalist during the breed ambassador competition.

Dakota Lovett, Bladen, Neb., is a third-generation Angus producer. He is active in the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) and considers it a privilege to have grown up raising Angus cattle.

“As producers we take a lot of pride in our cattle,” Lovett says. “It’s important to reach out to fellow producers, establish relationships with them and connect with consumers.”

Lovett, a sophomore at Southeast Community College in Beatrice, Neb., recently competed in the 2016 Angus Ambassador competition July 21 in Saint Joseph, Mo. Hosted by the NJAA, Lovett visited the American Angus Association headquarters along with three other finalists.

“The Angus breed and its membership are seen as leaders within the beef industry,” says Angus Ambassador Judge Kelli Retallick, Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) director of genetic service. “It is important juniors understand the magnitude of the roles they have in the future, as many of them will be decision-makers for the beef industry.”

Judging the competition, along with Retallick, were Shelby Mettlen, Angus Media assistant editor; Ryan Ruppert, Association director of regional mangers; Dave Nichols, Association board member; and Callie Mullins, associate professor of animal science at Northwest Missouri State University.

      To be considered for the position each junior member submitted a cover letter, résumé and two essay responses. The top candidates were invited to the American Angus Association, where they gave a 5-8 minute presentation followed by five minutes of questions.

      Topics of presentations ranged from Angus advocacy to genetic selection decisions. Lovett’s presentation addressed animal advocacy and how agriculturalists should react to animal rights activists. Lovett discussed the challenges associated with consumer perspectives of agriculture production, and ways for cattlemen and women to be involved in consumer conversations.

      After the presentations, the judges selected Cassandra Garcia, Renton, Wash., as the 2016-2017 Angus Ambassador. Garcia is a student at the University of Washington majoring in business administration and marketing. Joining Lovett as finalists were Haley Throne, Lexington, Ga., and Sierra Day, Cerro Gordo, Ill.

      Funded by the Angus Foundation, the Angus Ambassador will represent the breed at industry events throughout the United States and Canada, including the 2016 Angus Convention in Indianapolis, Ind.; a Certified Angus Beef LLC Building Blocks seminar in Wooster, Ohio; the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Cattle Industry Annual Convention in Nashville, Tenn.; 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 more than 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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