| |
Twenty Angus producers from across
the U.S. explored various segments of the beef industry May
31-June 3, 2009, during the second annual Beef Leaders Institute
(BLI), hosted by the American Angus Association® and funded
through the educational efforts of the Angus Foundation. Tours,
presentations from industry experts and interaction with staff
from the Association along with networking opportunities allowed
an in-depth look of the entire beef production sector.
The event is designed to identify active Association members
ages 25-45 who are leaders in the beef industry, and expose them
to all aspects of the industry from feeding, packing,
processing, retail and distribution. Participants are selected
based on application, and BLI is limited to 20 people to allow
for tours and discussion.
Tours of the Association and Angus Productions Inc. (API) along
with interactive sessions that highlighted the Association
departments and its entities kicked off this year’s activities.
Participants were able to learn more about the functions of the
Association, API, Certified Angus Beef (CAB) LLC, Angus Genetics
Inc. (AGI) and the Angus Foundation while interacting with the
employees.
Engaging case studies were lead by industry experts in the areas
of consumerism and cattle feeding. Tom Field, executive director
of producer education for the National Cattlemen’s Beef
Association, challenged the beef producers to become more aware
of what the average consumer faces at the meat counter by
assigning them a beef purchasing project prior to BLI. Each
producer had to purchase a cut of beef, evaluate the meat
counter and beef packaging and prepare the beef.
Tom Brink, senior vice president and chief risk officer for JBS
Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, discussed breaking even and
capturing the most profit while feeding cattle and walked the
group through several marketing grids.
A leadership and goal-setting session was added to BLI, allowing
the participants to set goals for their own involvement in the
beef industry as well as the BLI. In addition, a nightly
discussion was held about various current topics in the
industry.
Two days of intense tours followed the discussions at the
Association offices. Participants toured Tyson’s Dakota City,
Neb., plant where members from the senior management team
provided tours and answered questions about processing beef.
Steve McPherson, Snow Camp, N.C., said the Tyson tour was his
BLI highlight. “This was my first tour of a processing plant,
and I have to admit, I was in awe. A close second would have to
be the attendees themselves. I have really enjoyed getting to
know them.”
The tour then stopped at Whole Foods Market in Omaha, Neb.
Marketing Manager Maria Watts told the group that Whole Foods is
focused on providing consumers high quality foods as she toured
them through the store’s produce, meat, grocery, and deli
aisles.
“We want to provide the highest quality, most nutritious
products to our customers,” she said, as she pointed out the
naturally grown and organic products the store chain is known
for.
A visit to Gregory Feedlot, Tabor, Iowa, completed the tours for
the first day. Jim Gregory, owner, and David Trowbridge,
manager, welcomed the group. The CAB-licensed feedlot, focused
on feeding genetically superior cattle.
Later that evening, Mark Allan, associate director, global
technical services with Pfizer Animal Genetics, presented
information on the future of genomic enabled selection in the
beef industry.
The final day of tours included four stops. The first was
Cargill’s Value Added Meat further processing plant in Nebraska
City, Neb., which produces deli meats and products for food
service outlets. The next stop, Sysco Lincoln, in Lincoln, Neb.,
gave the cattle producers an overview of a large warehouse and
distribution center. Sysco Lincoln is the top distributor of CAB
value-added products.
An afternoon stop at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (MARC)
included presentations about identifying markers for recessive
traits, carcass instrument grading and an update on the MARC
germplasm evaluation and 2,000 bull project. In addition, the
group toured the feed efficiency study pens.
A driving tour of Gottsch Cattle Company near Red Cloud, Neb.,
showcased the 49,000 head feedlot and its feed mill. Mike
Danehey provided information about the lot while the bus drove
through its facilities.
After nearly 900 miles and two and one-half days in a bus,
friendships were formed, perspectives were gained and all walked
away with greater understanding of the industry that the
Association members have a passion for.
“It really hit home that myself and others in attendance at BLI
truly are the next generation of leaders,” says Keith Shifflett,
Scottsville, Va., “That simple realization gives me more
confidence and encourages me to be a better steward for the
Angus breed.”
Myron Kennedy, Brookville, Md., agrees. “BLI broadens your scope
on the industry on a variety of topics, therefore I see it as my
duty to pass along what I have picked up to Association members
and producers back home. With this approach in mind, it will
hopefully unify and strengthen us.”
Association members selected to represent the Association this
year include: Bo Bevis, Winnett, Mont.; Chad Campbell, Micanopy,
Fla.; Kyle Conley, Perkins, Okla.; Lake Elliott, Adams, Tenn.;
Robert Groom, Lyons, N.Y.; Ron Hinrichsen, Westmoreland, Kan.;
Davis Holder, Gamaliel, Ky.; Myron Kennedy, Brookville, Md.;
Kevin Kleinman, Wentworth, Mo.; Landi McFarland, Ellston, Iowa;
Andrew McPeake, Arnoldsville, Ga.; Steve McPherson, Snow Camp,
N.C.; Cody Sankey, East Lansing, Mich.; Keith Shifflett,
Scottsville, Va.; Steve Stratford, Pratt, Kan.; Jennifer
Svoboda, Sargent, Neb.; Ryan Sweeney, Fairmont, Okla.; Jerry
Theis, Leavenworth, Kan.; Byron Tuckwiller, Lewisburg, W.V.; and
James Young, Forest, Va. |
|
|
