Juniors Parade Angus Champions at 2012 Illinois Beef Expo

Young Angus enthusiasts led 155 entries at the 2012 Illinois Beef Expo Junior Angus Show, February 26 in Springfield, Ill. Tyler Cates, Modoc, Ind., evaluated the 128 females, and Thomas Farrer, Royal Center, Ind., evaluated the 27 steers.
Lucas Wall, Hopedale, Ill., led the grand champion female. Top Line Lady 1145 is a March 2011 daughter of Famous 7001 and first won division 3 champion.
Eric McClure, Saint Francisville, Ill., showed the reserve grand champion female, PVF FCF Missie 103. The January 2011 daughter of B C Lookout 7024 first won division 5 champion.
Gretchen Simpson, Alexis, Ill., claimed grand champion steer honors with JBS NI 3 Steer 703. He’s a March 2011 son of J B S N13.
Katelyn Eathington, Avon, Ill., won reserve grand champion steer. CCF Style 1036 is a March 2011 son of Silveiras Style 9303.


A complete list of winners follows:

2012 ILLINOIS BEEF EXPO JUNIOR ANGUS SHOW

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS

Total number shown:  155
Judges:  Tyler Cates, Modoc, Ind., heifers, and Thomas Farrer,
Royal Center, Ind., steers

HEIFERS   128   Shown

Division 1 Champion Heifer:  G&J Erica 122
Exhibitor:  Cade Moritz, Roberts, Ill.

Division 1 Reserve Champion Heifer:  DDA Barbara 1125
Exhibitor:  Chase Anderson, Chrisman, Ill.

Division 2 Champion Heifer:  Top Line Edella 1166
Exhibitor:  Morgan Kramer, Farina, Ill.

Division 2 Reserve Champion Heifer:  Hoffman Emma 104
Exhibitor:  Chayton Day, Cerro Gordo, Ill.

Division 3 Champion Heifer:  Top Line Lady 1145
Exhibitor:  Lucas Wall, Hopedale, Ill.

Division 3 Reserve Champion Heifer:  CARD Jackie 53Y
Exhibitor:  Lucas Wisnefski, Wyoming, Ill.

Division 4 Champion Heifer:  Dameron Princess 126
Exhibitor:  Keegan Cassady, Mahomet, Ill.

Division 4 Reserve Champion Heifer:  A J Forever Lady 105
Exhibitor:  Cody Conrady, Hartsburg, Ill.

Division 5 Champion Heifer:  PVF FCF Missie 103
Exhibitor:  Eric McClure, Saint Francisville, Ill.

Division 5 Reserve Champion Heifer:  DDA Barbara 1101
Exhibitor:  Chase Anderson, Chrisman, Ill.

Grand Champion Female:  Top Line Lady 1145
Exhibitor:  Lucas Wall, Hopedale, Ill.

Reserve Grand Champion Female:  PVF FCF Missie 103
Exhibitor:  Eric McClure, Saint Francisville, Ill.

STEERS   27   Shown

Grand Champion Steer:  JBS NI 3 Steer 703
Exhibitor:  Gretchen Simpson, Alexis, Ill.

Reserve Grand Champion Steer:  CCF Style 1036
Exhibitor:  Katelyn Eathington, Avon, Ill.

A man was walking along the beach one day when he saw a young boy throwing washed up starfish back into the ocean. When he asked the boy what he was doing, the boy said he was throwing the starfish back into the water or else they would die. The man told him that there was
no way he could save the thousands of starfish on the beach so he could not make a difference; however, the young boy just bent down and picked up another starfish. As he threw it back in the ocean, he replied optimistically, “Well, at least I made a difference to that one!”

I believe that this young boy embodies the true meaning of service. As defined by inspirational speaker Mr. Brian Parsley, service is “the act of
giving value to someone with their best interest in mind - not your own.” The young boy gave value back to the starfish that day simply by taking a little extra time to throw them back into the water. Through small actions such as this young boy’s, we can see that our strength in service is how we dedicate our daily lives to serve others. My daily service can be split into three distinct categories: Family, Community, and Self. Family is an important part of many people’s lives, and I am no exception. Growing up in a household with two parents and five sisters, I learned early in life the importance of helping one another. Being one of the oldest, it always seemed like I was the one elected to help with homework, baby-sit, and once I turned 16, be the chauffeur for my sisters to their activities. In the beginning, I thought of these actions as tiresome chores. As I got older though I realized the life lesson that my parents were trying to teach me: serving others is not about what you can get from your actions rather what you can give. My parents showed me that no matter how small or insignificant these actions seemed to me, my time and energy were valuable to someone.The American Angus Association is also a type of family that I personally hold dear to my heart. When the association was formed in 1883, the main purpose was to act as a breed registry for the growing number of Aberdeen-Angus cattle. Now, 128 years later, the Association is the world’s largest single beef breed organization because of their dedicated service to not only the cattle but also the people of the Angus breed. Our association provides an unprecedented amount of services and programs including conferences, scholarships, and my personal favorite, Angus shows. Just as important, the people of our association form a family who can depend on one another.

Service also encompasses helping those in our community. For the past 20 years, my family has owned and operated livestock market operations in our community and region. We believe our strength in these businesses is the quality of service we provide our customers. From the beginning, our motto has always been “Working Hard for You” and this is exactly what we strive to do each day. In 2010, my family and I began a new marketing venture. With the formation of Mid-Atlantic Cattle Sales, we held our first livestock video auction. Since that day we have held 23 video auctions and for every one of these sales I have created and edited all of our videos and catalogs. This has given me the
opportunity to work side by side with over 50 customers developing relationships and growing friendships. By dedicating my time and strengths
to our customers, I am able to give greater value to their cattle and to the cattlemen and women of our community.

The Certified Angus Beef brand has also been focused on serving communities around the world since 1978. Due to many people’s passionate service to the CAB Brand, communities in over 45 countries now have the opportunity to experience superior-tasting Certified Angus Beef.

The final component of my daily service is self. In today’s competitive world we are often tempted to measure our own success by the purple banners we win or the plaques we mount on our walls. As a junior Angus breeder and showman, I too am often tempted to determine my success by what I may or may not win in the show ring. However, my personal growth has shown me that success should truly be measured
by our dedication to service and the impacts we have on others. I am proud to say that myself and all four of my younger sisters were privileged
to receive gold “Angus Star” badges at the 2011 National Junior Angus Show. We received this honor not because of our success in the show
ring, but because we were seen helping others throughout the week.

Serving others though is not only about how we serve, but that our actions show us our strengths and make us stronger as individuals. This past year, I myself discovered a new personal strength. At the beginning of the year I started helping Justin, a young junior member in our association who was originally a little shy around the rest of us, but wanted to get more involved. Justin is now our new North Carolina Junior
Angus Central Director. While I was able to assist Justin in discovering a passion for Angus cattle, through the process I found that I had a personal strength in leading our junior members to be the best that they can be.

Just like the young boy at the beach, we have opportunities every day to serve others. A simple smile might heal a hurting heart, and a helping
hand may be the encouragement that a person needs to continue their day. We do not always know the results of our actions, but I do know that serving others is a strength we all can use to impact our family, community, and self. Through our service we can also continue to build and strengthen our commitment to the largest breed in the world - Angus. My challenge to you today is to think about how you can use your strengths in your daily service. So be like the young boy, and take some time to throw a starfish back in the sea and, as William James said, “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”

Pfizer Animal Health and the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) Foundation are proud to announce that 23 veterinary medicine students received financial support through the 2011 AABP Foundation – Pfizer Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship Fund.

“Our ongoing partnership with Pfizer Animal Health onthis scholarship program has provided much needed financial support for our veterinary students,” says M. Gatz Riddell Jr., DVM, executive vice president, AABP. “The cost of collegecan be a significant hurdle for the success of veterinary students, and we want to offer students the opportunity to focus on their studies and future careers, not the cost of tuition.”

This year, the AABP Foundation and Pfizer Animal Health presented 23 students from across the nation with a $5,000 scholarship at the AABP Annual Conference held Sept. 21 to 24 in St. Louis, Mo. Travel and lodging costs also were provided to the scholarship recipients to attend
the AABP Annual Conference. In the last three years, the AABP Foundation – Pfizer Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship Fund has awarded $315,000 in scholarships to 63 veterinary students.

The 2011 scholarship recipients are:Elisha Adkins, Oregon State University; Nicholas Barbu,Michigan State University; Curtis Beidel, University of Pennsylvania; Joshua Boyden, Cornell University; Matt Brewer, Iowa State University; Maranda Gonzalez, The Ohio State University; Nika Grigsby, University of Florida;Scott Hamilton, University of California, Davis; Amber Hazel, University of Minnesota; Elizabeth Homerosky, The Ohio State University; Brandy Lengacher, The Ohio State University; Claire McPhee, North Carolina State University; Ward Mills, University of Georgia; Timothy Perano, University of California, Davis; Cassandra Peterson, University of Illinois; Andy Pike, Auburn University; Haley Resler, Purdue University; Molly Riddell, Auburn University; Chase Stahl, Iowa State University; Brandon Treichler, University of Minnesota; Ben Werkhoven, Washington StateUniversity; Mary Stuart Womack, Texas A&M University; Jeremi Wurtz, Iowa State University. Making a difference for large-animal veterinariansSally Adams received an AABP Foundation – Pfizer Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship in 2010. As a 2011 graduate of The Ohio State University, she currently works at a mixed-animal practice focusing on dairy veterinary
medicine in Maria Stein, Ohio. According to Adams, both the scholarship and the support of Pfizer Animal Health andAABP have helped advance her career.

“Receiving the scholarship helped financially support my dream of becoming a large-animal veterinarian,” Adams says. “Pfizer Animal Health is investing in me, in my future and in animal agriculture to make our country’s food supply the best it can be.”

Pfizer Animal Health is committed to supporting the future of large-animal veterinarians and that support starts long before a veterinarian is in practice, according to Doug Braun, DVM, veterinary segment manager, Strategic Initiatives Marketing, Pfizer Animal Health. “The financial support we provide to veterinary students today translates into a more robust and sustainable veterinary community tomorrow,” Braun says.

Funding for the scholarships is provided by the Pfizer Animal Health FFA and AABP Foundation Support Program, a unique partnership with veterinarians, animal health suppliers and dealers. The program offered a 1 percent rebate on Pfizer Animal Health cattle products from Jan. 1 through March 31, 2011. Participating partners were able to direct funds to any local FFA chapter(s) or the AABP Foundation – Pfizer Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship Fund. The AABP Foundation – Pfizer Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship Fund is a component of Pfizer Animal Health’s Commitment to Veterinarians™ platform—which offers support through training and education, research
and development, investing in the future of the veterinary profession, and philanthropy.

At some point in our lives, we will all face questions or challenges
that are bigger than we are and that can leave us with a sense
of hopelessness and/or lack of direction. It may be news of life
threatening disease, the loss of a loved one, a change of careers, a
hurtful relationship, or just a time where we have to be still and wait
for the Lord to move or to give us direction—whatever the case, we are
overwhelmed and do not know where to go or what to do.

I think of a boat captain who has lost his ship in the storm and finds
himself all alone in a dingy, out in the middle of the vast raging sea. For years
he has navigated these waters and has faced and overcome many storms
and challenges, but this time, the storm was so severe, so large and so
overwhelming, he now faces what he has never faced before. His ship, his men,
his ability to navigate, and all that is familiar to him is now gone. He used all his
skills, experience and education and did all he knew to do. He fought the storm
to the point of exhaustion, but despite his efforts the ship went down along
with all that was in it. Now, without divine intervention and guidance, he will
be overcome by the challenges, the fear and the uncertainty he now faces.
Without his ship, what will he do? Behind the wheel of the ship, he knew
where he was and what he had to do, but now that the ship is gone, he finds
himself unable to help himself or anyone else and he is totally dependent on
God for deliverance and hope for a future.

This illustration reminds me of the story of Jehoshaphat, King of Judah,
as recorded in 2 Chronicles 20. If you remember, Judah was about to be
attacked by a huge, consuming army comprised of the Moabites, Ammonites
and Meunites. When King Jehoshaphat heard that the fierce armies were
just outside the city and would soon be attacking and destroying his nation,
he called all the people together to fast and pray. After thanking God for His
faithfulness throughout Israel’s history, Jehoshaphat cried out to God: “We
have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know
what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

What a powerful prayer and testimony. Jehoshaphat was facing an enemy
like none he had ever faced. He knew that the situation was hopeless if God
did not work a miracle, but instead of running away or just surrendering to the
enemy, Jehoshaphat called out to the miracle working God who had always
met their needs in the past and Who he knew could be trusted even now.
In answer to his prayer, God told a man named Jahaziel to tell King
Jehoshaphat and all the people of Judah these words: “Do not be afraid or
discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.
Tomorrow, march down against them. … You will not have to fight this battle.
Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give
you. O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out
and face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.” When Jehoshaphat
and the people heard the word of God, they fell on their faces and worshiped
Him.

The next day, Jehoshaphat and his men put on their armor and got dressed
for battle. The Bible says that as they worshiped and marched to take their
positions to face their enemies in battle, the Lord himself set up ambushes
against the enemy and destroyed them. Those he did not destroy, he caused
to turn on one another until they completely annihilated one another. When
Jehoshaphat and his men reached the battlefield, they found only dead
bodies—no one had escaped. The plunder of the enemy was so great, that it
took Jehoshaphat and his men three days to collect it!

The battle was the Lord’s, but Jehoshaphat and his men still had to
trust the Lord. They remembered His faithfulness in the past and they
trusted Him to be faithful even now when they faced their greatest enemy
yet, and this faith led them to worship Him. They still had to put on their
armor and they still had to have the courage to march out and to face the
enemy, but it was God who delivered them, who defeated their enemies,
and gave them the plunder.

Facing an enemy greater than they had never faced before, they could
have just run away, but their homeland and way of life would have been
conquered and they would have eventually been overrun and destroyed.
They could have just surrendered, and would have faced the same fate
plus slavery. Or, they could have tried to face the enemy in their own
strength and in their own wisdom, which would have resulted in a very
short battle where all of Judah would have been destroyed and all of
history would have been changed.

Thankfully, King Jehoshaphat saw his own limitations, remembered
God’s faithfulness and promises, and chose to put all his faith and trust in
Him even now as he led his people out to face their greatest enemy ever.
When we face enemies, circumstances or fears that are greater than
our ability to handle, when we don’t know what to do, we need only to
remember that there is a God who loves us, who has gone before us, and
who will deliver us if we put our faith in and follow Him. We still have to
put on our spiritual armor and we still have to go out and face the enemy,
but the battle is Lord’s and He is faithful. Stand

More than 50 Angus enthusiasts of all ages helped raise $10,640 for education, youth and research at the11th Annual Angus Foundation Golf Tournament, July12, 2011, at the Felicita Golf Course in Harrisburg, Pa. The money raised will contribute to the Foundation’s first capital campaign, Vision of Value: Campaign for Angus, which aims to raise $11 million by Dec. 31,2011.

“Our goal with the golf tournament is to create an atmosphere for our players to enjoy warm Angus fellowship with other Angus breeders and youth from across the country, while simultaneously raising funds for the Angus Foundation,” Jenkins says. “Without the generous sponsorship support and the participation of our players, this event wouldn’t be possible!”

Golf tournament winners this year in Flight A included Tim Randolph, Fishersville, Va.; Dick Rogen, Brandon, S.D.; Jeff Creamer, Montrose, Colo.; and Brandon Creamer, Montrose, Colo. Flight B winners were Dereck Washam, Pierce City, Mo.; Cody Washam, Pierce City, Mo.; and Rick Taylor, Lavaca, Ark. Flight C winners included Bruce Stertzbach, Louisville, Ohio; Justin Adcock, Moweaqua, Ill.; Billy Widerman, Good Hope, Ill.; and Scott Anderson, Chrisman, Ill.

2011 Tournament sponsors included hole-inone sponsor Paul and Lynn Hill, Sarah and Jason Schaffer, and Neenah and Alok Jain, Bidwell,
Ohio. Tee box sponsors included American Angus Association Regional Managers, and Dan and Sharon Vaassen and family, Ann Arbor, Mich. Hole sponsors included Conover Auction Service, Baxter, Iowa; Dobson Pulpwood Farm, Campti, La., Doug Satree Angus, Montague, Texas; Georgia Angus Association; Green Mountain Angus Ranch, Ryegate, Mont.; Indiana Angus Association; Lazy JB Angus
- Montrose, Colo.; Maplecrest Farms, Hillsboro, Ohio; McCabe Genetics, Elk City, Kan.; Minnesota Angus Association; and Tokach Angus Ranch, Saint Anthony, N.D. Flag sponsors were Harry H. Bachman Auctioneer, Annville, Pa., Heldermon Sales Company Inc., Sulphur, Okla.; Michigan Angus Association; Mitteness Family Angus, Benson, Minn.; and Wes Untied and family, Granville, Ohio. In addition, Lombardi Brothers Meats of Denver, Colo., provided Certified Angus Beef® steaks for the tournament awards luncheon. Jennifer Ann Smith, Angus Foundation director on
the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) Board of Directors from Elysian Fields, Texas, and Lindsey Grimes, member of the NJAA Board of Directors from Hillsboro, Ohio, served as this year’s masters of ceremonies.

On the 4th of July, my youngest son Tyler and I went
bay fishing. I was so excited the days before the trip
anticipating the catch, being alone with my son, and
just being on the water for the first time in over five years. The
excitement and anticipation made it difficult for me to sleep. We had
set aside a whole day to fish, so we got up at 3:00 a.m. so we could
be on the water early and not waste a minute of daylight.
What I love most about bay fishing in the Gulf Coast is that you never
know what you might catch. Though you may use a bait to target a
particular species, when something takes the bait, you just never know what
or how large it may be. Some will be keepers, others will be ‘throw backs’,
but they are all fun to catch. You just have to keep casting your bait, over
and over, and catch whatever hits.
Again, my favorite part of this type of fishing is that you just never know
what you will catch or how big it will be. Maybe it will be a Speckled Trout,
maybe a type of Mackerel, or a Blue Fish, Lady Fish, Needle Nose, Jack,
some other type fish that I cannot identify, or even a shark! You just never
know. Sometimes you even catch a combination as Tyler and I did on this
trip. The anticipation, excitement, fun and pleasure are derived not only
from fighting the fish, but from the unknown—what you will catch, how
many you will catch and how big they will be.
This reminds me of the day when Jesus called some professional
fishermen, at the very moment of their most successful catch, to put down
their fishing nets and to spend the rest of their lives fishing for a much
more valuable catch. This story is told in Luke 5:1-11: “Now it came about
that while the multitude were pressing around Him and listening to the
word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; and He saw
two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out
of them, and were washing their nets. And He got into one of the boats,
which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little way from the land.
And He sat down and began teaching the multitudes from the boat. And
when He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep
water and let down your nets for a catch. And Simon answered and said,
“Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but at Your bidding
I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a
great quantity of fish; and their nets began to break; and they signaled to
their partners in the other boat, for them to come and help them. And they
came, and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink. But when
Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus’ feet, saying, “Depart from me,
for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” For amazement had seized him and all his
companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also
James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And
Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.”
And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and
followed Him”.
Not knowing what lay ahead of them or how they could ever get by if
they left behind the only way of life and the only occupation they knew, they
still “left everything and followed him.” They had seen in Jesus something
they
had never seen in anyone else—that He was from God and of God. Simon
Peter, realizing this, began confessing his own sinfulness, yet Jesus still chose
and called him to follow and serve Him and to become a fisher of men.
As Jesus sent them out two by two as recorded in Luke 10, the disciples
experienced what God could do in and through their lives as they went
our fishing for men in Jesus’ name. As they went and told others of
Jesus and demonstrated His love for them, they “returned with joy,
saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” (vs.
17). The disciples were excited and amazed at what God could do in
and through their lives and the lives of others, if they just followed,
obeyed and made themselves available for His service.
Later, after His death and resurrection, as Jesus was ascending into
Heaven, He commissioned and commanded not only His disciples, but
also all of us to go and to be fishers of men. “Go therefore and make
disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I
commanded you...” (MT 28:19-20) and see (Acts 1:8-11).
For five years I did not go fishing. As a result, for five years I
never caught a fish! For us to be ‘fishers of men’, we too have to be
intentional and actually go fishing. Jesus is coming again to gather
His followers into Himself and to judge the world. If we are faithful to
follow Him and share His gift of love and salvation with others, we can
all be ready when He comes.
Our responsibility is just to keep casting and offering the Good News
and the love of Christ everywhere we go with everyone we see. You
never know who or how many you may catch. They may be different
sizes and colors, but they all need Jesus and He loves them all, there
are no ‘throw backs’ with Jesus, regardless of their appearance or their
history. What do you say? Let’s go fishing!

Gazda Named Outstanding Leader
The National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) helps not only develop Angus
cattle but also leadership in youth. The 2011 Outstanding Leader, Katie Gazda,
Athens, Ga., was recognized at the 2011 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS)
closing ceremonies, Friday, July 15 for her dedication and passion to the NJAA.
“Receiving the Outstanding Leadership Award was a complete surprise; I had
no idea I had been nominated, so to hear my name called out for earning such
a prestigious honor was beyond touching,” Gazda says. “I can’t think of a more
meaningful way to culminate my junior Angus career.”
The award, established in 1994 in memory of Barbara Smalstig and her
support of the NJAA, recognizes a junior for their contributions to Angus
programs, particularly the NJAA, personal Angus accomplishments and
development, community involvement and a letter of recommendation.
Gazda excelled in each category with her active roles at the national and state
junior association levels. She has held numerous officer positions in the Georgia
Junior Angus Association and was the 2009 junior co-chair for the National Junior
Angus Show in Perry, Ga.
She was also awarded an American Angus Auxiliary scholarship in 2008 and
was named the 2009 Miss American Angus.
Former Kansas and American Angus Auxiliary president Mary McCurry says,
“During her reign as Miss American Angus, she was the consummate role model
for thousands of young Angus breeders by her actions, deeds and words.”
She has continued in leadership roles at the University of Georgia and
is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, Block and Bridle and is a College of
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Ambassador and will continue to pursue
a degree in agricultural communication this fall.
“The Angus industry will one day look back and say they are glad Katie Gazda
was involved and committed to the industry,” McCurry says.
NJAS closing ceremonies also included the announcement of contest placings,
awards and scholarships. Visit www.angus.org for more information, including
videos, show results and photos.
Missouri Couple Honored for Commitment to Angus Youth
Since 1963, Dr. Curtis and Ann Long of Briarwood Angus Farms, Butler, Mo.,
have been committed to not only the quality of the Angus breed but also the
development of youth programs.
Because of their generosity, the Angus Foundation inducted the Longs into the
Honorary Angus Foundation during the 2011 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS),
July 15 in Harrisburg, Pa.
The National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) selects Angus supporters who
possess a profound dedication to Angus youth and serve as strong supporters of
the NJAA.
The Longs were honored for their continued donations in support of the
Angus Foundation and NJAA.
With emphasis placed on the value of carcass information, the Longs
established the Briarwood Angus Farm – Curtis and Ann Long Endowment Fund
to provide funds for the Carcass Steer Contest awards at the National Junior
Angus Show (NJAS).
“I wanted to help the development of junior Angus members and help them
to know the true meaning of carcass value and the Angus breed,” Dr. Curtis Long
says.
The Longs first provided cash awards and other premiums to the top ten
entries at the 2008 Carcass Steer Contest in Des Moines, Iowa. All carcasses that
met Certified Angus Beef® standards received an additional 25% in premiums.
“The Longs set the standard in supporting Angus youth,” says Hannah
McCabe, an Elk City, Kan., junior member and recipient of Long’s generosity.
“I have toured Briarwood Angus Farms and know of their desire to produce
functional cattle that excel in carcass traits.”
By funding the permanent endowment, the Longs hope Angus youth will
become knowledgeable about all segments of the beef industry beyond the
showring.
“We continue to be extremely grateful to Dr. Curtis and Ann Long for their
generous donations and commend their dedication to supporting the next
generation of Angus breeders through this endowment fund that will carry their
legacy in the Angus breed,” says Milford Jenkins, Angus Foundation president.
The Longs made a recent donation to the Angus Foundation, purchasing the
2011 Angus Foundation Heifer Package. All proceeds will help fund education,
youth and research initiatives in the Angus breed and agricultural industry.
Briarwood Angus Farms is one of the oldest herds in Missouri and continues to
produce quality genetics for the commercial cattleman.
Long says it is an honor to be a part of the Honorary Angus Foundation, and he
plans to continue to support the American Angus Association® and all its entities.
In 1985 the NJAA initiated the Honorary Angus Foundation to recognize those
who have shown extraordinary interest and support for young members of the
American Angus Association. In 1985, the NJAA board of directors honored seven
Angus breeders as the first inductees of the Honorary Angus Foundation. Today,
three inductees are honored annually. Any member of the Association is eligible
to nominate individuals or organizations for the Honorary Angus Foundation.
Visit www.angus.org to learn more or to nominate next year’s Honorary Angus
Foundation inductees.

The Angus Foundation announced that Eddie and Connie Sydenstricker, owners of Sydenstricker Genetics of Mexico, Mo., will donate the 2012 Angus Foundation Heifer, set to sell in January 2012 at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colo.
SydGen Forever Lady 9525 is the special heifer chosen from the 78 fall-bred replacement heifers at Sydenstricker Genetics. She is the September 2009 daughter of SydGen 928 Destination 5420, who was co-owned with Spring Cove Ranch of Bliss, Idaho, and surfaced as perhaps the most popular son of 928. The female herself recorded the No. 1 weaning weight EPD, the No. 2 yearling weight EPD and the No. 1 $B index at the time of selection. She also posted the highest adjusted IMF scan of the entire heifer calf crop at 8.79 percent IMF to ratio 143.
Expected to calve in September 2011, this heifer is bred to SydGen Dealer 9883, a son of SydGen Sure BET and maternal brother to SydGen Trust 6228. He was the $14,000, second high-selling fall bull in Sydenstricker’s 2010 production sale to Big Dry Angus Ranch, Jordan, Mont.; Eggers Stock Farm, Jackson, Mo.; and the Mike Kasten Beef Alliance, Millersville, Mo.
“Eddie and Connie Sydenstricker have been long-time supporters of the Angus Foundation, and it’s truly an honor for our organization to further merit their confidence, endorsement and support through their donation of this outstanding Angus female,” says Milford Jenkins, Angus Foundation president. “Sydenstricker Genetics needs no introduction to Angus breeders, as its program has a well-proven and enviable track record of producing breed-leading seedstock genetics. This outstanding phenotypic and genotypic female was selected from the heart of the Sydenstricker’s powerful fall 2009 replacement females!”
Eddie Sydenstricker was the first president of the first state junior Angus association ever formed, and he’s never forgotten his start — a start that’s encouraged him to give back to the breed.
“The Angus breed has been very good to Connie and me, and our daughters Kim and Lee Ann, and giving back through the Angus Foundation ensures that strong tradition of outstanding youth and education programs,” Sydenstricker says. “2012 will mark our 60th year breeding Angus cattle, so this donation is a fitting way to kick off our diamond anniversary.”
Ben Eggers, manager of Sydenstricker Genetics, says this elite heifer reflects the production goals of the operation and offers a balanced package to auction in 2012.
“This female exemplifies our mission statement, combining soundness and fertility with growth, productivity and superior carcass traits,” Eggers says. “To add to her value, she will be the very first Foundation Heifer to sell with a calf already at-side.”
The sale of the Angus Foundation Heifer Package, an annual fundraising tradition initiated in 1980, supports the Angus Foundation, the not-for-profit affiliate of the American Angus Association that funds and supports programs involving education, youth and research in the Angus breed and agricultural industry.
For more information on the Angus Foundation Heifer Package, contact Angus Foundation President Milford Jenkins at 816-383-5100 or Sydenstricker Genetics at 573-581-1225.

The American Angus Association® and Angus Genetics Inc. ® (AGI) have again expanded their offering of genomic-enhanced expected progeny differences (EPDs).
The calving ease direct (CED) EPD joins AGI’s suite of genomic-enhanced selection tools generated using the Association’s extensive performance database and genomic results now provided by both the High Density 50K (HD 50K) platform from Pfizer Animal Genetics and the Igenity® Profile for Angus.
The calving ease direct EPD helps cattlemen predict the average difference in ease with which a sire’s calves will be born when he is bred to first-calf heifers. Expressed as a difference in percentage of unassisted births, a higher value indicates greater calving ease in first-calf heifers.
“Now, the calving ease direct EPD utilizes DNA data submitted by breeders to provide even more accurate selection capabilities,” says Bill Bowman, AGI president and Association chief operating officer (COO).
AGI offers genomic-enhanced EPDs for calving ease, carcass, growth (including birth, weaning and yearling weight EPDs; as well as milk) and residual average daily gain (RADG) traits incorporating genomic data from both Pfizer Animal Genetics and Igenity. A genomic-enhanced EPD for docility incorporating Igenity results is also available.
“These and all other National Cattle Evaluation EPDs are released every Friday and provide Angus producers of any herd size with the most up-to-date information for their selection decisions,” says Sally Northcutt, Association director of genetic research.
Visit www.angus.org for more information.

Cull cows often get a bad rap, but now producers can turn a trip to the local sale barn into opportunity.
The Angus Foundation introduces the “Treasure Chest” project, an initiative geared toward Angus farmers and ranchers wishing to donate cull cow proceeds for education, youth and research funding.
“This is a unique opportunity for Angus producers to give the proceeds from the sale of their cull cows to benefit the Angus breed and agricultural industry,” says Milford Jenkins, Angus Foundation president. “An ordinary trip to the auction market then becomes opportunity for the breed.”
The American Angus Association®’s  not-for-profit affiliate funds ongoing research projects to advance Angus breeders and other beef producers. Education and youth development are other key focus areas of the entity, which was founded in 1980.
Donors participating in the Angus Foundation’s cull cow program can choose to direct funds to one of the organization’s priorities — education, youth or research — or make unrestricted contributions.
“It’s an easy program to participate in, and it’s a tremendous idea,” says Glen Swanson, a Durant, Iowa, Angus breeder who has participated in the cull cow initiative. “Everybody has a few cull cows that need to go. [This] is just an easy way to tell whoever you sell them through to send the money to the Angus Foundation and go from there.”
Fourth-generation Angus breeder Blanford Pierce of Woodlawn Farms, Creston, Ill., couldn’t agree more.
“I know we’ve all had wonderful females we’ve considered to be ‘treasures.’ Unfortunately, sometimes factors such as age dictate that she be culled. Donating the salvage value proceeds to the Foundation is a way that your particular female can leave her ‘treasure’ status as a legacy,” Pierce says. “It is a small way in which any breeder can participate in this vital and significant fund-raising effort.”
Ghent, N.Y., Angus breeder Phil Trowbridge encourages others to participate.
“The cull cow program is a great opportunity for producers of all herd sizes to make contributions to the Angus Foundation,” says Trowbridge, chairman of the Angus Foundation Board of Directors. “This is a very simple way to help lay the foundation for the future of this breed. ”
All funds donated through the Foundation’s cull cow program will go toward the organization’s “Vision of Value: Campaign for Angus,” a capital campaign aimed at raising $11 million by Dec. 31, 2011. More than $7 million in outright cash gifts, pledges and planned giving commitments has been raised toward the campaign, to date.
Ranchers participating in the Foundation’s “Treasure Chest” cull cow program can make checks payable to the Angus Foundation, or instruct their local sale barns to directly contribute proceeds to the Foundation. Donations may be mailed to the Angus Foundation at 3201 Frederick Ave., Saint Joseph, MO 64506.
Contact Jenkins at 816-383-5100 or mjenkins@angusfoundation.org for further information.