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
January 2015 n ANGUSJournal n 67 scholarship opportunities, this association is giving its members tools to use as they face challenges in life. Another approach to facing adversity is using the resources that lie within one's self. Past President Bill Clinton once said, "If you live long enough, you'll make mistakes; but, if you learn from them, you'll be a better person. It's how you handle adversity, not how it affects you. The main thing is never quit, never quit, never quit." This quote highlights perseverance, a trait that has allowed me to face personal adversities. When I moved 12 hours from my Indiana home to the middle of Kansas to attend Hutchinson Community College, I was faced with many new and challenging situations. Fortunately, persevering has allowed me to gain more knowledge about the livestock industry. By being a member of the livestock judging team, I have learned the importance of low-maintenance, productive livestock. I have learned in judging contests and practice to persevere in using the skills that make me more successful at placing classes and giving reasons. Likewise, the American Angus Association has persevered in managing the different aspects of our industry to work together. The Certifed Angus Beef LLC (CAB) program uses the excellent genetic traits of Angus cattle and marketing tools to produce and market a more wholesome product. CAB makes it possible for the commercial producers to have a preferred outlet to sell their product and be able to garner more premiums at the rail. The resources that lie within the American Angus Association allow producers to persevere through the many changes in our industry. Be prepared and adaptable The fnal point I want to make about adversity is that it is inevitable. No matter how cautious a person is or how much planning and preparation a person does, sooner or later everyone will be faced with a diffcult challenge of some kind. After the end of the show season a few years ago, I turned out one of my favorite show heifers with a neighbor's bull to get her bred. A month later I found her in the back of the pasture, unwilling to get up. A visit from the vet verifed that something was seriously wrong. My heifer was diagnosed with fescue toxicity, a disease caused from eating fescue hay infested with a fungus. It causes lameness and eventually loss of the hoof. Regardless of treatment, my prize show heifer would never be able to be a productive female. Losing the heifer was a devastating blow to my small cow herd, but I had to say goodbye. In the beef cattle industry, there are many inevitable situations producers deal with every day. A few years ago the drought in the western states caused many ranchers to have to sell their cow herds because of a lack of grass, hay and feed. Of course, this led to fewer animals to market and, eventually, an increase in the price of beef. Now, as producers, we have to continue to encourage consumers to pay these higher prices at the grocery store. Though this inevitable factor caused great adversity, the American Angus Association provides resources to help producers continue to have a sustainable product. Adversity is a part of all of our lives, but it can be used to help us grow as individuals. Using our resources, both external and internal, and realizing that adversity is inevitable will help us deal with the obstacles that we have to face. I'll leave you here today with this quote from Lou Holtz, the famous Notre Dame football coach: "Everyone goes through adversity in life, but what matters most is how you learn from it." Diamond Sponsorship — $1,000 or greater @ American Angus Association: Miss American Angus travel allowance Emerald Sponsorship — $300-$999 @ Cherry Knoll Farm, Margaret & Bob Duprey, Pennsylvania: overall contest sponsor @ Jim Baldridge's Secret Seasoning, Becky Tiedeman, Nebraska: Miss American Angus jacket @ Weaver Angus, Jerry Weaver, Illinois: Miss American Angus jacket @ Details by Design, Diane Johnson, Texas: contestant professional etiquette seminar @ The All-American Angus Breeders' Futurity Committee: Futurity travel @ Texas Angus Association: Fort Worth Stock Show travel @ American Angus Hall of Fame, Tom Burke, Missouri: Miss American Angus leather scrapbook and five copies of the 40th Anniversary of the National Junior Angus Show – Volume I @ Atlantic National Show Committee: show lodging and banquet tickets @ Stan & Maggie Tennant, John and Emily Barnes, North Carolina: overall contest sponsor Ruby Sponsorship — $200-$299 @ Seldom Rest Farms, the Dale & Lois Foster Family, Michigan: Miss American Angus crown and leather sash @ McCurry Angus Ranch, the Andy and Mary McCurry Family, Kansas: jewelry for contestants @ Olson Land & Cattle, Steve & Ginger Olson, Texas: Miss American Angus luggage @ Futurama Farms, the Steve Trosper Family, Missouri: stationery for contestants @ Nigro's Western Store, Kansas: Miss American Angus custom belt buckle Pearl Sponsorship — $100-$199 @ Eberlee Farms, Bill & Jane Ebert, North Carolina: Miss American Angus luggage @ Jill (Sommers) Harker, Janelle (Sommers) Deatsman, Sharon Sommers, Indiana: overall contest sponsor @ Catherine Harward, 2014 Miss American Angus, North Carolina: Miss American Angus official pin @ Harry Bachman, Pennsylvania: contestant luncheon @ Charlie & Paula Boyd, Kentucky: overall contest sponsor @ Yon Family Farms, South Carolina: overall contest sponsor @ Wallace Cattle Co., Missouri: overall contest sponsor @ McCabe Genetics, Randel and Varee McCabe, Kansas: overall contest sponsor 2015 Miss American Angus Contest Sponsors