Passion, Innovation and Achievement
Three-day Angus Convention hosted 1,600 attendees to inspire and conduct association business.
The American Angus Association spent a legendary weekend in Fort Worth, Texas, as members celebrated Angus passion, innovation and achievement at the 2021 National Angus Convention and Trade Show. In accordance with the convention theme, the event featured three keynote addresses highlighting each of these concepts for attendees. The Association welcomed Rorke Denver, former U.S. Navy SEAL Commander, to address achievement and the role it plays in the pursuit of progress.
Whether it’s securing higher premiums, maximizing performance in the pasture or succeeding in the show ring, Angus breeders have made achievement a priority since the beginning. Denver, who has run every phase of training for U.S. Navy SEALs prior to starring in the film Act of Valor, is also no stranger to the desire for constant improvement.
“Every great team will find a way to constantly improve in an elite environment,” Denver said. “They’re always trying to figure out a way to get a little bit better.”
Denver encouraged attendees to consider ways to position themselves optimally for what they hope to achieve, relating it to his experiences training for the battlefield.
“If you can make a big leap, that’s great, but it’s often small measures of improvement that make teams better,” Denver said. “It’s the idea of asking ourselves, ‘Is there anything more I can do? Is there a better place I can fight from or think from?’”
Throughout its history, the Angus breed has proven its dedication to achieving new feats, even in times of adversity. Denver acknowledged that those in the beef industry have what it takes to continue seeking out opportunities for progress. He shared his appreciation for the values of those in agriculture, which resonate closely with his own experiences.
“It’s not hard talking to folks that have the grit and toughness of this organization,” Denver said. “People in agriculture tend to be my favorite audiences, because it’s just folks that care about all the things we care about, so it makes for a special event when I can be at something like this.”
Convention highlights
The three-day Angus Convention attracted 1,600 attendees and nearly 100 trade show vendors.
“This year’s convention was a tremendous success,” says Mark McCully, American Angus Association CEO. “We were so grateful to have our Angus family gathered together in person again to celebrate what we’ve accomplished and where we’re headed. The breed’s current reputation is a testament to the collective efforts of hard-working producers and vast industry advancements.”
 Throughout the convention, attendees chose to attend a variety of Angus University educational workshops. Each session was hosted by an industry expert and was geared to inform cattlemen and women about topics ranging from AAA Login and improving the bottom line to the importance of genetic advancement. |
Each day was loaded with informational sessions, networking events, and wall-to-wall trade-show vendors. On Day 1, Angus enthusiasts had a chance to partake in various tours such as an in-depth look at a nearby Angus operation, Gabriel Ranch, and a cowboy culture tour of the Fort Worth Stockyards. Cattlemen and women also attended the Beef Blitz tour hosted by Certified Angus Beef (CAB). They toured several Fort Worth eateries that partner with the brand to provide top-of-the-line Angus beef to consumers.
Throughout the convention, attendees chose to attend a variety of Angus University educational workshops. Each session was hosted by an industry expert and was geared to inform cattlemen and women about topics ranging from AAA Login and improving the bottom line to the importance of genetic advancement.
Members of the American Angus Auxiliary kicked off their 70th Anniversary celebration during the Angus Convention. The organization hosted several events, including its Annual Meeting, the 70th Anniversary Kickoff Reception, the Annual Auxiliary Breakfast, and the Miss American Angus competition.
Leadership panel
A leadership panel with representatives for each entity of the Association reported on the previous fiscal year’s successes and what the future holds. The overarching theme of the panel’s conversation was the importance of the Association’s membership and how to best provide tools and opportunities for members and their commercial customers.
Kelli Retallick-Riley, president of Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI), spoke about the strides in genomic data and information that will better the current tools AGI offers members. She stressed the economic value of genomics from a maternal standpoint. Combining these factors will allow the Association to make improvements to better serve its members.
Brett Spader, president of Angus Media, celebrated producing more new sale books than ever before and invited attendees to visit with Angus Media staff in attendance to get a demonstration of the Pasture to Publish program offered to assist producers in building their sale books. He explained a new technology called “extended reality” allowing cattlemen to use their mobile devices to bring print media alive, similar to “virtual reality.” Spader discussed new market research being conducted in January to give insight to producers on their buyer audience.
CAB President John Stika discussed the importance of simplifying the complex information consumers must sort through. He shared a new advertising campaign for the holidays emphasizing, “If it’s not Certified, it’s not the best.”
A report from Thomas Marten, executive director of the Angus Foundation, rounded out the panel. He touched on the growth of the Talon internship program, stressed the importance of mentors for young people, and looked ahead to a year of positively affecting the lives of Angus youth.
American Angus Association Awards Dinner and Reception
The highly anticipated American Angus Association Awards Dinner and Reception recognized several members. Honored as Angus Heritage Foundation inductees were Billy Maples, Alabama; Frank Schiefelbein, Minnesota; Bob Funk, Oklahoma; Margaret Dreesmann, Missouri; and Charles A. McPeake, Georgia, posthumously.
During the dinner reception, CAB recognized three recipients of producer awards. Yon Family Farms, South Carolina, was recognized as the 2021 Seedstock Commitment to Excellence winner. Pfeiffer Angus Farms, Oklahoma, was honored with the Ambassador Award. Finally, Bradley 3 Ranch, Texas, was honored with CAB’s 2021 Sustainability Award.
Mary Wood, North Carolina, was crowned 2021-2022 Miss American Angus.
138th Annual Convention of Delegates
Highlighting the final day of the convention was the 138th Annual Convention of Delegates. Jim Brinkley, Missouri, was re-elected to a second term of the Board of Directors. Paul Bennett, Virginia; John Dickinson, California; Greg McCurry, Kansas; and Loran Wilson, Indiana, were elected to serve their first three-year term. Delegates elected Jerry Connealy, Nebraska, president and chairman of the Board and Chuck Grove, Virginia, vice president and vice chairman of the Board. Selected by the Board at its September meeting, Barry Pollard, Oklahoma, was installed as treasurer.
The 2022 National Angus Convention and Trade Show will be hosted Nov. 5-7 in Salt Lake City, Utah. For news and further information about this year’s Convention, stay tuned for future issues of the Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA and Angus Beef Bulletin.
Editor’s note: Peyton Schmitt and Briley Richard are communications specialists for the American Angus Association. Photos by Shauna Hermel.
