Angus Journal

12/09/2024

Through five generations of Peterseks, there’s always been a steady passion for the beef industry. When RJ and Reed individually decided to come back home to RAVEN ANGUS, reproductive technologies opened doors to increase the herd.

“We wanted to take full grasp of the good genetics we had,” Reed says. “We leaned on cow families pretty hard, and we got a chance to put embryos in with some good commercial operators that helped us grow our numbers. Then it’s just kind of a snowball deal.”

Learn how generational knowledge and passion has helped this operation grow through the years: https://www.angus.org/angus-media/angus-journal/2024/12/south-dakota-snowballs

12/04/2024

Family-run businesses that last 100 or more years often leave a legacy, and when an Angus herd lasts that long the breed comes together to celebrate the accomplishment. At the 2024 Angus Convention in Fort Worth, Texas the American Angus Association honored Sitz Angus Ranch of Dillon and Harrison, Mont., with the Century Award for their 100-plus years as a registered Angus herd.

“Being able to say we’ve been in the Angus business for over 100 years — that’s a feat itself,” says Jim Sitz of Sitz Angus. Learn more about the operation from the : https://www.angus.org/angus-media/angus-journal/2024/11/sitz-angus-recognized-for-100-year-angus-legacy

12/03/2024

Known as a humble, quiet man, Cody Quam, Lodi, Wis., is not afraid to generously share his knowledge of the cattle industry.

“I’ve made it a point to try and help anybody that will take the time and ask and are willing to put the work in,” says Quam when asked to reflect on why he was selected as the second annual Young Breeder of the Year award. “I’ll share what we’ve done right and what we’ve done wrong to try and help people that are just getting started to maybe get there a little faster.”

Quam and his family have spent more than 80 years gathering while building the reputation of Marda Angus Farm. Learn more about the award winner's Angus story in this article: https://www.angus.org/angus-media/angus-journal/2024/11/wisconsin-cattleman-awarded-young-breeder-of-the-year-by-the-american-angus-association

11/28/2024

Walking to the Thanksgiving dinner table like...

In all seriousness, the team is thankful for our Angus breeders. The beef industry is a beautiful place to call home, and we hope you're gathered with friends and family today to celebrate the lives we're so blessed to lead.

11/27/2024

Making dramatic cow herd improvements has never been easy, but it’s a whole lot simpler today than it’s ever been, says commercial Angus producer Jimmy Taylor. The Elk City, Okla., cattleman has been at the steady climb to get an efficient calf, with the most carcass quality potential out of a cow that works in his dry and often unforgiving Western environment.

He and industry consultant Nevil Speer recently joined , where they discussed the idea of the carcass and the cow, how the business has changed, the tools that have helped make faster progress, and what’s ahead. Find it anywhere you get your podcasts or click here: https://www.angus.org/angus-media/angus-journal/podcast/the-angus-conversation-season-5/e9-speertaylor

11/23/2024

"One of America’s proudest traditions comes in the form of farm and ranch families who knit together tenacity, innovation and a deep care for land, livestock and people. And the Angus family is leading the way."

More from editor Julie Mais in this column: https://www.angus.org/angus-media/angus-journal/2024/11/its-tradition

11/21/2024

From AngusLink growth to the new Angus.org, the 2023-24 fiscal year was full of milestones for the American Angus Association.

“We might be living in the best of times in this breed for our position industry wide, and that to me is actually a bigger challenge than maybe what we’ve actually ever seen before because I don’t believe in complacency,” says Darrell Stevenson, White Sulphur Springs, Mont.

Stevenson, who just began his term as treasurer of the Association, says that pull-through demand is working, and there is more differentiation in the marketplace for Angus vs. unknown black-hided cattle than ever before.

To hear Stevenson talk about his highlights, listen to the full interview or read the full transcript below. Check out this exclusive interview: https://www.angus.org/angus-media/angus-journal/2024/11/living-in-the-best-of-times

11/20/2024

John McCurry says there is more opportunity for young people to enter the Angus business today there has been in quite some time. He joined fellow Angus breeder Cody Quam, Lodi, Wis., on , and the pair discussed how they made it work to come home to a multi-generational cattle business.

To hear from the only two people to have earned the American Angus Association's Young Breeder award, check out the latest episode of the podcast by clicking here or searching anywhere you get your podcasts: https://www.angus.org/angus-media/angus-journal/podcast/the-angus-conversation-season-5/e8-mccurry-and-quam

11/19/2024

Are you and your herd ready for the upcoming cold season?

This Veterinary Call column explores ways that cattle's nutritional needs vary in the winter. Get prepared now: https://www.angus.org/angus-media/angus-journal/2024/11/preparing-for-winter

11/18/2024

Those who came before set the American Angus Association up to be in a strong financial position today, says Jim Brinkley, Milan, Mo., who just wrapped up his year as treasurer.

“I don't think previous boards and staff have gotten enough credit for the path they’ve laid out for membership today,” he says. “I mean, to have that portfolio to leverage to work for membership, it’s been incredible.”

To hear Brinkley, the recently elected vice chairman of the Board, recap the 2023-24 fiscal year, check out this feature interview from the : https://www.angus.org/angus-media/angus-journal/2024/11/investments-that-pay-off

11/15/2024

Humid air engulfs the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Eager to tackle the day’s work, Bryan Farkas pours out mineral as the welcomed summer rain showers around him. Though his internship will only be a drop in the bucket compared to the lifetime of lessons ahead of him, the knowledge gained during his summer could fill an ocean.

His internship mentors, Matthew Deacon and Turner Kobayashi, watch over him with pride — the boy who arrived at Audley Farm green and timid grew into an eager and inquisitive young man.

The vision of the Angus/Talon Youth Educational Learning Program Internship stemmed from Camron “Cam” Cooper of Talon Ranch, who loved Angus cattle and believed in educating young people to become leaders of the beef industry. In 2009 she created the Angus/Talon Youth Education Learning Program Endowment Fund to allow holistic educational experiences. Want to hear more about Farkas' internship experience in this article: https://www.angus.org/angus-media/angus-journal/2024/11/seek-and-you-shall-find

11/14/2024

Jonathan Perry, newly elected president and chairman of the American Angus Association Board of Directors says they will continue a focus on the strengths of the Angus cow and giving breeders tools to work in all diverse systems.

“That’s one of the things that we've really put a lot of emphasis on from new EPD (expected progeny difference) developments, new phenotype collections, things that we can do to try to bring more emphasis to longevity, stayability, the function of the cow,” Perry says. “No matter where we go end-target wise, we’ve got to continue to come back to home base of what got us there.”

To hear why Perry is so optimistic about the future of the breed, visit the :

Perry predicts strong year ahead.

11/12/2024

In recent years, Kara Lee of Certified Angus Beef says Angus breeders have voiced concerns about fertility and feet. Some have looked at the upward trajectory of marbling within the breed and sent up caution flags as selection pressures rise.

"Overall, has our breed been so focused on marbling that we’ve lost sight of other valuable traits? Worse yet, has improving the marbling potential of a calf crop contributed to other challenges in the cow herd?"

Hear more from the about how marbling affects fertility and feet challenges: https://www.angus.org/angus-media/angus-journal/2024/11/marbling-feet-and-fertility-are-they-related

11/11/2024

Happy Veterans Day to all the brave men and women who have served our country. We thank you for your service.

11/08/2024

Four team members from Angus Media — Courtney Bartenslager, digital marketing manager; Rachel Anne Hunter, senior print services coordinator; Ryann Kats, graphic artist/advertising coordinator; and Megan Silveira, managing editor of the Angus Journal — joined the inaugural class of the American Angus Association's Growing Angus program, exploring every segment of the beef industry and learning new leadership skills to better harness their ability to serve Angus membership.

Special thanks to Blythe Family Farms, Tiffany Cattle Co., K-State's Beef Stocker Unit, Tallgrass Tap House, Kansas Artificial Breeding Service Unit, K-State Meat Science Lab, K-State Call Hall Dairy Bar and National Beef, who hosted the program's attendees. Check out the event in this article: https://www.angus.org/angus-media/angus-journal/2024/11/growing-angus-growing-employees

11/07/2024

Sit down and watch as editor Julie Mais guides a Q&A session with retiring American Angus Association Board of Directors President, Barry Pollard, Pollard Farms, L.L.C.

Want to read more? Click here: https://www.angus.org/angus-media/angus-journal/2024/11/qa-presidents-perspective

11/06/2024

"Traditions are the intergenerational exchange of values, beliefs, customs and important elements of culture. Traditions provide a storehouse of wisdom, anchor people to time-proven principles and serve as an important adhesive that binds people across the ages. Traditions, at their best, provide lighthouses that illuminate pathways, teach philosophies and truths that strengthen both individuals and groups, and provide a shared understanding and context for making sense of life."

Want to hear more from Tom Field about traditions, habits and assumptions? Visit the website: https://www.angus.org/angus-media/angus-journal/2024/10/traditions-habits-and-assumptions

11/05/2024

American Angus Association fiscal year results indicate expanding market share.