Ty Groshans Joins Commercial Programs Department
Ty Groshans, a Colorado native, has been named assistant director of commercial programs for the American Angus Association. Groshans will earn bachelor’s degrees in animal science and ag business from Colorado State University this May. He begins his position May 23.
In his new role, Groshans will work with seedstock and commercial producers to inform them about Association programs, including AngusSourceSM and the Beef Record Service (BRS). He will educate producers and promote various programs to Association members to ensure that they can help their commercial bull buyers market their Angus-influenced calves to their full advantage. Groshans will also work directly with commercial producers, auction markets and feedlots.
Angus to Air on RFD-TV’s The Cattle Show
As part of The Cattle Show’s “Bulls, Bulls, Bulls” series, an episode featuring Angus will air on RFD-TV in July. From genetics to marketability, feeder cattle to replacement females, this episode of The Cattle Show covers all advantages of Angus bulls.
Filmed on location in Garden City, Kan.; Millersville, Mo.; and Van Horn, Texas, three commercial cattlemen share their experiences and success using Angus bulls.
The Angus episode will air on RFD-TV, DirecTV Channel 379. Tentative air times and dates for the program are 8 p.m. CST on Tuesday, July 26; 4 a.m. and noon on Wednesday, July 27; and 10 p.m. on Sunday, July 31. The complete show will be available on DVD later this fall.
Association Announces RFID Tag Options
The American Angus Association has introduced two radio frequency identification (RFID) tag options. The Beef Improvement Records (BIR) tag is available in RFID matched-pair sets and RFID tag-only options. Any producer wanting to take advantage of the efficiency available with RFID tags can use the BIR tag.
“The Association began offering an RFID matched-pair option with its AngusSource program in 2003, but only cattle enrolled in the AngusSource marketing program are eligible to wear the AngusSource tag,” explains Jim Shirley, vice president of industry relations and director of commercial programs. “The Association is offering the BIR tag option to meet the demands of cattlemen who want to capitalize on the advantages of RFID technology, but whose cattle don’t meet the requirements of the AngusSource program.”
All RFID tags available through the Association are high-quality Allflex half-duplex RFID tags. The number “burned” into the RFID is printed on the outside of the RFID tag. The BIR logo is printed on the RFID male piece.
A matched pair includes the RFID tag as well as a visual tag. The BIR visual tag is yellow in color and comes stamped with the BIR logo, a 15-digit unique animal ID number that matches the RFID tag and customized management codes chosen by the producer.
The RFID tags are available for $2.25 each, with a minimum order of 20. RFID-matched pair sets are $3.25, with a minimum order of 20. Producers interested in ordering BIR tags can do so online at www.angusonline.org/store/ or by contacting the Association.
Junior Angus Leadership Conference Planned
Junior Angus members should plan now to attend the 2005 Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) Conference, set for Aug. 4-7 in Boise, Idaho. “Strikin’ it Rich” is the theme for this year’s event that features speakers from the beef industry, tours of Idaho and workshops conducted by the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) Board of Directors.
Designed for youth ages 14 to 21, LEAD is conducted each year to build leadership skills of young Angus producers. Space is limited for the event, so be sure to register early. Early registration is due June 15 and costs $175, which includes all costs except transportation to and from Boise. Participants registering after June 15 will pay $200, if space is still available.
Youth can register online at www.njaa.info, or by submitting the forms included in the green junior packet mailed to junior Angus members earlier this year. For more information, contact the Junior Activities Department at (816) 383-5100.
Gallagher’s Angus Donates Youth Scholarship for Third Year
Kourtney Glenister was awarded the New York Beef Producers’ Association (NYBPA) college scholarship at the Annual Awards Banquet Jan. 22 in Corning, N.Y.
A freshman at SUNY Cobleskill, she is pursuing a degree in dairy production and is planning a career in agriculture. On her scholarship application, Kourtney stated, “I am very interested in getting involved in agriculture and using my college education to benefit the industry.” Also the New York Angus queen, Kourtney will serve as spokesperson for New York at the Eastern Regional Angus show in June. Kourtney is the daughter of Paul and Karen Glenister of Pulaski, N.Y.
The NYBPA awards a $1,000 scholarship annually to a deserving college student planning a career related to the cattle industry. Gallagher’s Angus has made it possible to give the annual award. For the past three years, they have donated the entire scholarship amount, allowing the association time to build the scholarship. Anyone willing to contribute to the scholarship fund is asked to contact the NYBPA at (315) 245-3386.
— by compiled by Shauna Rose Hermel, editor
