News Update
Nov. 3, 2008

Association Releases Curly Calf Update

The American Angus Association® released an update (click here) on Curly Calf Syndrome (CCS), including a listing of preliminary test results provided by Dr. Jon Beever, University of Illinois, on samples submitted to him on bulls from five artificial insemination (AI) organizations.

For a complete listing of CCS information released by the American Angus Association, click here.

Junior Activities Director Named

Robin Ruff has been promoted to junior activities director for the American Angus Association, effective immediately. She has served as the junior activities assistant since May 2007, upon completing her bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University (K-State).

Ruff will oversee the activities of the more than 7,000 active junior Angus members and will continue to coordinate and implement programs of the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA). She will work closely with the NJAA Board to facilitate leadership programs, educational events and shows for the NJAA, comprised of Association membership 21 years and younger.

 “Her knowledge of the Junior Activities Department and her work with the NJAA Board in guiding and planning the activities and events of the NJAA will be a huge asset in her new role,” says Bryce Schumann, chief executive officer (CEO) of the American Angus Association.

“Robin brings enthusiasm and fresh ideas to this position, along with a disciplined work ethic to be sure that every junior Angus member will benefit from being in the NJAA.”

Ruff is a native of Hanston, Kan., where she was raised on her family’s cattle operation. She competed in the showring on various levels. She earned a bachelor’s in agribusiness from K-State, where she was active in Collegiate Cattlewomen, College of Agriculture Student Council and Sigma Alpha Professional Agriculture Sorority.

Ruff can be contacted by calling the Association at 816-383-5100 or via e-mail at rruff@angus.org.

Register Now for Repro Strategies Symposium

Want to get the most out of your herd’s reproductive potential? Register now for the Robert Taylor Memorial Symposium: Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle. The symposium will be Dec. 2-3, at the Hilton in Fort Collins, Colo. Speakers and trade show participants will focus on new methods and technologies to control and improve reproductive success in beef cattle.

Visit Angus Productions Inc.’s (API’s) www.AppliedReproStrategies.com for an overview of the conference and speakers and a link to online registration. Available through Nov. 17, preregistration is $75 for students and $150 for other attendees. After Nov. 17, registration increases to $200 for everyone.

“This meeting is for anyone interested in beef cattle reproduction, including producers, veterinarians, AI technicians and Extension specialists,” says Sandy Johnson, animal science specialist with K-State Research and Extension and one of the conference coordinators. Continuing education credit will be available for veterinarians.

The symposium is co-sponsored by Colorado State University (CSU) and the Beef Reproduction Task Force, which is comprised of Extension animal scientists from K-State, the University of Nebraska, South Dakota State University, Iowa State University, the University of Idaho, the University of Illinois, the University of Florida and the University of Missouri with support from several industry sponsors.
API will provide online coverage of the event at www.AppliedReproStrategies.com. Visit the site now for a program schedule, hotel and travel information, and links to online registration. After the meeting, visit the site for summaries and supporting materials for each presentation.

More information is available at www.AppliedReproStrategies.com or by contacting CSU’s Jack Whittier at 970-491-6233; or Nancy Weiss at 970-491-7640.

— Information provided by the American Angus Association.

— compiled by Crystal Albers, associate editor