The Angus Journal is a monthly magazine known for in-depth coverage of American Angus Association programs and services; the Angus business; herd management techniques; and advertising reflecting genetics herd philosophies.
Issue link: http://angusjournal.epubxp.com/i/435083
46 n ANGUSJournal n January 2015 Newsmakers @ Items of interest about and for members of our Angus family. Compiled by Linda Robbins. ASSOCIATION z IN THE NEWS A.D.D. Angus Farm, Arlington, Iowa, has been honored by the American Angus Association as a Historic Angus Herd. Arnold Rueber knew exactly what he wanted in 1963, and he wasn't going to settle on the "baby beeves" style of cattle that were too small to suit him. He knew his commercial market was selling 1,200-pound (lb.) steers to the Chicago Stock Yards for the high-Choice, low-Prime market; and he knew he needed to fnd cows and bulls big enough to get that job done. He eventually found the size he needed in 12 registered-Angus bred heifers; six of which were Earl Marshall descendants. All 12 heifers cost Arnold just more than $3,000. When he began looking for a good-sized bull to put with them, Arnold ran into another wall. Big bulls were hard to fnd. By that time, Arnold knew he couldn't be the only person searching for size and decided to enter the purebred ring and supply the market with larger animals. Just a few years later, in the late 1960s when the type change came, that decision proved itself. From that point forward, Arnold and his two sons, Doug and David, enjoyed great success in the showring and the auction ring with their Angus cattle. Bulls such as Keyban Bardolier 179, Barbarian Jumbo 13Y, Old Town Lancelot, Grassy View Marshall and Ed Rene Black Enchanter gave A.D.D. Angus Farm a great foundation to build upon, and the herd grew to about 200 cows. In 1978, A.D.D. Angus Farm owned the Iowa Bull of the Year, GD Lightfoot 16. In the early 1980s the family took a hard look at the future of showing cattle, and the farm decided to place less emphasis on the show circuit and more on performance cattle. It was an easy transition to make for the family, since performance had always been important. They also had kept offcial Angus Herd Improvement Records (AHIR®) on their cattle since the late 1960s. A.D.D. Angus Farm has embraced technology from the start. Beginning in the 1980s, new bloodlines have entered through the use of artifcial insemination (AI). The Ruebers were some of the frst to use ultrasound measures to improve carcass quality. They quickly incorporated GeneStar® to improve tenderness, marbling and feed effciency in their cattle; and began using Igenity on their herd during the program's infancy. They knew expected progeny differences (EPDs) enhanced with genomic profles improved accuracy and added value to their cattle. Currently, Doug and Marcia Rueber manage more than 100 head of cows. Their children were very active in the regional, state and National Junior Angus Association (NJAA). Daughter Laurie and son Michael exhibited cattle at local, district, state, regional and national junior Angus shows. Laurie received an Angus Foundation scholarship in 1998, the frst year they were awarded. In that same year, Michael was awarded second place in the American Angus Auxiliary boy's scholarship competition. A.D.D. Angus Farm has been a life member of the American Angus Association since 1964. The Historic Angus Herd Award is presented to Angus breeders or immediate families who have been in continuous production of registered-Angus cattle for 50 years or more. Randall Robbins, Woodbury Tenn., was honored by Accelerated Genetics at its annual President's Gala in Lake Geneva, Wis. Robbins received the President's Onyx Award for his achievements in sales and service. He has been a member of the Association since 1995. Gardiner Angus Ranch, Ashland, Kan., Shannon Hall Cutting Horses, Comanche, Okla., and Daube Cattle Co., Ardmore, Okla., partnered to beneft the Working Ranch Cowboys Foundation (WRCF) in support of efforts to fund scholarships and provide assistance to those in need. The partners offered Little Linda's Dually for sale at the Western Bloodstock Sale Dec. 8-13, 2014, in Fort Worth, Texas. All proceeds from the sale were to be donated to the WRCF. The Working Ranch Cowboys Association (WRCA) was founded in 1995 to promote ranching on a national level and preserve the lifestyle of the ranch cowboy. Preserving that lifestyle means reaching out to those in need during diffcult times. Aspiring doctors, veterinarians, teachers and ranch managers of tomorrow often need assistance. Cowboys and their families often do not have the benefts of health insurance or workers compensation and need assistance making ends meet when disease, injury or hardship strike. In 2001, WRCA formed the WRCF, a 501(c)(3) organization, honored to help hard-working cowboys and their immediate family members. Each year, the WRCF awards scholarships and assists numerous families through the Crisis Fund. The Gardiners have been American Angus Association life members since 1950. The Canadian Angus Association (CAA) has launched Angus Central Television (AC- TV), a video broadcast that will air four times per year and will feature anything related to its Angus activities and beef industry. Each episode will be offered on the CAA YouTube channel. The frst episode was scheduled to air Dec. 12, 2014. Karla Ness, director of member engagement, is the newest member of the CAA team. She graduated from Mount Royal University with a bachelor of communications degree with a major in public relations. One of her main roles is leading the new AC-TV initiative. Watch for her at different Angus events as she will be capturing footage, interviews and pictures for AC-TV. The CAA introduced 50- and 75-year awards to recognize those breeders who have been a member of the Association for 50 or 75 consecutive years. The long dedication of these producers to the Angus breed is essential to the overall success of the beef industry. The recipients of these awards were recognized at the Royal Agriculture Winter Fair in Toronto in November 2014. Earley Bros. from Ontario was a recipient for 2014. Earley Bros. was established in 1935 by Eugene Earley when he started an Angus herd. The family farm, Hillcrest Farms at Kerwood, Ont., had been established in the mid-1800s by his Irish ancestors. Eugene's middle son, George, was a very successful showman. As a 4-H member, he exhibited a grand champion steer in 1957 and 1958. Hillcrest Farms has exhibited more market and 4-H beef champions in live and