News Update

News Update
March 3, 2008

2008 BIF Meeting Set

The 2008 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Annual Research Symposium and Annual Meeting will take place June 30-July 3, at the Hyatt Regency in Calgary, Alta., Canada.

The event is expected to attract more than 500 seedstock and commercial producers, feedlot operators, academia, industry experts and beef industry service providers. Symposium topics will include the most current genetic improvement research and innovation dedicated toward advancements in beef production.

Angus Productions Inc. (API) will once again host online coverage of this popular industry event at www.bifconference.com. Symposium and tour schedules, accommodations and travel information, and archived coverage will be available in the weeks preceding the event. During and following the symposium, proceedings, audio, photos, synopses of presentations, and committee coverage will also be available.

A tentative schedule and registration information is now available by clicking on the BIF meeting link at www.canadianbeefbreeds.com.

Camp Cooley Ranch to host The Texas Challenge II Event

Klaus and Bonnie Birkel, owners of Camp Cooley Ranch, Franklin, Texas, are encouraging Texas Angus breeders and the Texas Angus Association to raise funds to support Angus education, youth and research efforts through the Angus Foundation. Camp Cooley Ranch will again host and underwrite a celebration at the ranch on Saturday evening, April 26, at 5:30 p.m. featuring a Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) dinner and live entertainment. All Texas Angus breeders and supporters are invited to attend.

In January 2007, the Birkels pledged $250,000 toward the Angus Foundation’s ambitious Vision of Value: Campaign for Angus goal to raise $11 million by Dec. 31, 2011, if Texas Angus breeders and the Texas Angus Association raised $250,000 in matching funds at $50,000 per year for the next five years.

“Far exceeding anyone’s wildest expectations, Texas Angus breeders and friends not only rose to the challenge, but committed more than $250,000 in outright cash gifts and multiyear pledges in the first year alone toward The Texas Challenge. It is safe to say that Texas Angus breeders met the challenge,” said Milford Jenkins, Angus Foundation president. “As a member of the campaign’s leadership cabinet, visionary Angus breeder and a philanthropist at heart, Klaus viewed it his responsibility to invest significantly in the Angus breed and help add value to education, youth and research for the benefit of future generations of Angus breeders in Texas and across the United States by supporting the Angus Foundation.”

After the overwhelming success of last year’s event, the goal has been increased to $1 million, with Texas Angus breeders challenged to raise another $500,000. By hosting The Texas Challenge II, the Birkels are again showing their dedication and commitment to furthering the success of the Angus breed.

As Klaus has previously stated, “I am devoted to this because I believe it is essential that we provide the next generation of young cattle raisers with the knowledge and skills essential to stay competitive and to make a business out of raising cattle. Additionally, there are still many open questions that research can answer about how to manage and raise cattle in a better way. Education and research must be continual and focused toward our industry’s special challenges. Bright young individuals must be encouraged to stay in this business and must see what is possible.”

“After last year’s success, the Texas Angus Association felt that we as Angus breeders and friends of the Angus Foundation could do so much more to support this worthwhile cause. We applaud last year’s efforts, but also recognize that we have a long way to go,” said Rocky Bunting, Texas Angus Association president. “I am confident that we will rise to the challenge of completing our goal, but it will take the support of every Texas breeder and friend of the Angus breed.”

With the ultimate fundraising goal of $1 million by Dec. 31, 2011, The Texas Challenge II allows donors the freedom to designate how their gift will be used by the Angus Foundation, with choices including educational programs, youth activities and/or bovine-related research. As a part of this fundraising initiative, a Texas Angus Association Scholarship Endowment Fund has been created to enable donors to support the next generation of Angus breeders with educational scholarships awarded to Angus youth from Texas through the Angus Foundation.

All funds raised through The Texas Challenge II will count toward achievement of the nationwide fundraising initiative Vision of Value: Campaign for Angus, which aims to raise $11 million by Dec. 31, 2011, to further support the Angus Foundation’s education, youth and research efforts. To date, more than $4.3 million has been dedicated to the campaign through cash gifts, pledges and planned giving commitments.

The Angus Foundation is the not-for-profit affiliate of the American Angus Association that funds and supports programs involving education, youth and research.

Cattle Industry Convention Online

Coverage of the 2008 Cattle Industry Annual Convention and NCBA Trade Show continues to be posted to www.4cattlemen.com. For the sixth straight year, Angus Productions Inc. (API) is providing online coverage of the event. Salt Creek Ranch of Memphis, Texas, is sponsoring the event coverage.

Visit the “Newsroom” at www.4cattlemen.com will feature comprehensive coverage of the convention, including coverage of policy development, general sessions, the Cattlemen’s College,® Issues Forums and committee highlights.

The “Trade Show” page highlights products and services premiered at the largest-ever trade show, along with company news. Visit the “Award Winners” page for announcements of Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) results, Vision Award recipients, National Beef Ambassadors, Beef Backer awards and others.

Attended by more than 5,000 cattlemen each year, the convention is the largest meeting of its kind in the United States. Five industry organizations, including the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board (CBB), the American National CattleWomen (ANCW), Cattle-Fax and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF) convene at the event, themed this year as “Rush to Reno.”