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
54 n ANGUSJournal n January 2015 F or many in the Angus business, the American Angus Association headquarters in Saint Joseph, Mo., is an extension of their farms and ranches — a valued partner for processing cattle registrations, performance information, genomic data, and offering marketing and promotional services. The Association's nearly 25,000 members are located throughout the United States, and many of them may never get a chance to visit the building and meet the employees on the other end of the telephone or computer screen. On Nov. 3, the Association opened its doors for members and visitors prior to the start of the frst-ever Angus Means Business National Convention & Trade Show in Kansas City, Mo. "I've been a breeder for quite a few years, so I thought it would be really exciting to come to see the headquarters," says Rick Van Dyken, Thousand Hills Angus, Toston, Mont. "It's really a neat experience to actually get to meet people and put a face with a name. The employees are a vital part of our operation — without them, we couldn't do it." Saint Joseph, Mo., has been home to the business breed for nearly 60 years. On June 29, 1956, a thousand visitors crowded into the brand-new American Angus Association headquarters, an unassuming brick building located in what was then the eastern-edge of town. Fifteen days prior, the beef breed organization packed up its offces in the Chicago Stock Yards and moved across the Midwest. While in the offce Nov. 3, tour participants were able to see frsthand the treasured history of the Angus breed, including original artwork by Frank Murphy; visit the Association's museum and library of historic publications; and spend time in the boardroom — where many of the breed's signifcant decisions have been made over the years. Building an Angus Legacy! Welcoming visitors to the Association was a brand-new entryway, lined with granite planters and pavers that pay tribute to the Angus breed's devoted farmers and ranchers. The project was made possible thanks to donors to the Angus Foundation's Building an Angus Legacy! project. Prior to the open house, the Angus Foundation hosted a ribbon-cutting @ Above: Several digni- taries from Saint Joseph, the state of Missouri and the Angus world were on hand to celebrate the Angus Foundation ribbon cutting. @ Right: Kathrin Gresh- am (right), Angus Produc- tions Inc. photo coordi- nator, explained how she can "clean" animals for advertising in the Angus Journal and elsewhere. The American Angus Association welcomed visitors Nov. 3 in Saint Joseph, Mo. by Jena McRell, digital editor, & Carrie Horsley, Angus Foundation An Angus @ LaVera Spire, API director of business opera- tions, helps a visitor sign up for a subscription. 35 Keys to Success Industry Involvement & Networking PHOTOS BY SHAUNA ROSE HERMEL AND KASEY BROWN