Ginette GottswillerThe Source
Providing opportunities for the next generation.
Blue and gold coats were swarming like bees during the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind. The air was electric and sizzling with contests and motivational speakers. When my nephew returned home from the convention, I don’t doubt his head was swimming from information overload. I felt the same way when I returned home from the Angus Convention, also hosted this year in Indianapolis.
The opportunity to network and learn from producers and industry people is never-ending. The American Angus Association encourages youth who are involved in commercial operations to learn more about how the Angus breed can be beneficial to their operations.
Future Angus Stockmen is the program born out of that desire, and it has been a great year for two young men who plan to raise Angus cattle on their operations.
Georgia rancher Ben Hicks was sponsored by Select Sires to attend an AI (artificial insemination) school at Clemson University in Clemson, S.C., in September. Hicks was nominated by Mike McCravy at MM Cattle in Carrollton, Ga., who paid Hicks’ enrollment dues to the Future Angus Stockmen program. McCravy believes the future generation needs hands-on experience to succeed in the beef business with the higher cost of inputs. Hicks commented the program provided insight on everything from forage and feeding to expected progeny differences (EPDs) along with AI.
Select Sires Regional Beef Coordinator Will Mayfield says Hicks was an excellent choice for the school, describing him as “really passionate.”
AI is a tool that isn’t utilized to its potential, especially in the commercial beef industry. Many people seem to be intimidated by it or may feel it is just too labor-intensive. A good teacher and understanding of the mechanics of AI is crucial for successful use of the technology. Some people think you should get a 75% conception rate with just one service — an unrealistic expectation of what AI can accomplish.
Mayfield, a third-generation Angus breeder and former Northeast regional manager for the American Angus Association, says the Future Angus Stockmen program is a great opportunity for a young person to grow as an individual and for the beef industry to grow along with them. Hicks says he learned crucial information about genetics and AI to assist him as he moves forward in the industry.
The Future Angus Stockmen scholarship winner for 2016 is Dan Johnson, who hails from an 800-head commercial Angus operation near Dillon, Mont. Johnson is a former FFA member and made the trek to the National FFA Convention to receive his Beef Proficiency Award and compete in the Star Farmer competition.
Editor's Note: Ginette Gottswiller is the director of commercial programs for the American Angus Association.
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