The Great Northwest Gathering

Join in “The Great Northwest Gathering” as the American, Idaho and Oregon Angus associations host the 2006 National Angus Conference & Tour Sept. 26-28 in Boise, Idaho.

The event will kick off Tuesday with a “Back to Basics” seminar conducted by Association staff. The presentation will update producers on enhancements to Association programs and services.

After lunch, Mark Enns, an assistant professor of animal sciences at Colorado State University, will discuss reproduction in the cow herd. Sally Northcutt, American Angus Association director of genetic research, will present an Association reproduction review; and Twig Marston, Kansas State University (K-State) beef Extension specialist in cow-calf management, will discuss producing with optimums.

Brad Morgan, associate professor of animal science and Oklahoma State University, will discuss carcass evaluation; and Mike Kasten, owner and operator of Kasten Ranch, a commercial operation near Millersville, Mo., will end the program with a cow-to-carcass wrap-up. Rod Nulik, Purina Mills marketing manager, will be the featured speaker at dinner Tuesday evening.

The tour will begin Wednesday morning and includes stops in Idaho at the Academy of Equine Dentistry at Glenns Ferry, 101 Ranch Inc. at King Hill, the National Fish Hatchery at Hagerman, and Spring Cove Ranch at Bliss.

Thursday will feature stops in both Idaho and Oregon, starting at Bear Mountain Angus Ranch, Melba, Idaho; and moving on to Malson Angus Ranch, Parma, Idaho; the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, Baker City, Ore.; and Thomas Angus Ranch, Baker City, Ore.

Purina Mills and Alpharma Animal Health are the major sponsors of this year’s event. They have partnered with Angus Productions Inc. (API) to provide online coverage of the conference at www.nationalangusconference.com.

General Information

Hotel information — The Boise Doubletree Riverside is the headquarters for the 2006 National Angus Conference & Tour. All attendees must make their own room reservations by calling the hotel directly at (208) 343-1871. The hotel offers a complimentary shuttle to and from the Boise International Airport.

Travel information — Most major airlines provide service in and out of Boise, including Delta, United, Southwest, Northwest, Continental, Frontier, US Airways and Horizon. The Boise Doubletree Riverside is located at 2900 Chinden Blvd. From Interstate 84 W., take Exit 49 to Interstate 184 E., then take Exit 3 to Fairview Ave. Take a left onto Garden St., and continue through the stoplight. The hotel will be on the right-hand side, next to Joe’s Crab Shack restaurant.

For more information

Contact Shelia Stannard at sstannard@angus.org, or Linda Campbell at lcampbell@angus.org, or call (816) 383-5100 for more information.

Schedule of Events
Monday, September 25
3 p.m.	Registration open
6 p.m.	Welcome reception
Tuesday, September 26
8 a.m.	“Back to Basics” — Association staff
Noon	Lunch
1 p.m.	National Conference Reproduction of the cow herd — Mark Enns Association reproduction review — Sally Northcutt Producing with optimums — Twig Marston
Break
	Carcass evaluation — Brad Morgan Cow to carcass wrap-up — Mike Kasten
6:30 p.m.	Dinner with speaker–Rod Nulik
Wednesday, September 27
6 a.m.	Breakfast buffet
7:30 a.m.	Tour departs Academy of Equine Dentistry, Glenns Ferry, Idaho 101 Ranch Inc., King Hill, Idaho National Fish Hatchery, Hagerman, Idaho Spring Cove Ranch, Bliss, Idaho
Thursday, September 28 – Tour
6 a.m.	Breakfast buffet
7:30 a.m.	Tour departs Bear Mountain Angus Ranch, Melba, Idaho Malson Angus Ranch, Parma, Idaho Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, Baker City, Ore. Thomas Angus Ranch, Baker City, Ore.