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
80 ■ ANGUSJournal ■ January 2015 Raise Your Hand B eef production may be a 24/7 job, but producers fi nd setting time aside for professional development and industry improvement benefi ts their farms, industry and the future. No matter what segment of the beef industry is represented, producers fi nd value in volunteering. Sara Prescott Lincoln, Illinois Angus breeder and beef industry advocate Sara Prescott has turned her passion for the beef industry into several volunteer opportunities that help her promote the breed, improve their family herd and build a future for their children. Michael Prescott's family has raised Angus cattle since 1950. Michael is Sara's husband. His grandfather, Allen Prescott, established the herd. The operation was passed down to Michael's father, Richard Prescott, who continues to manage the original farm near Mendota, Ill. Richard focuses on purebred Angus seedstock and marketing freezer beef to local consumers. Michael and Sara started an extension of the Prescott herd near Lincoln, Ill., in 2006, with 20 replacement heifers. This past year they moved another 35 replacements from the home farm to Lincoln to allow them to provide more Angus feeder cattle to local customers. Today the two operations cumulatively manage more than 200 Angus mama cows. "Raising Angus cattle is an important part of our history and our future. We hope to continue this legacy so we will be able to pass it down to the fourth generation," says Sara. "Our herd has not only grown in size, but has also become more effi cient with help from those in the industry. We try and take every opportunity to attend cattle-related events and talk with those involved in leadership to learn more about what the beef industry has to offer. The one-on-one relationships we have made have defi nitely contributed to the success of our business." Prescott currently serves on the Illinois Beef Association (IBA) Board of Governors and is president-elect for the Illinois CattleWomen. She is treasurer of the Heartland Beef Alliance, and is on the National Cattleman's Beef Association (NCBA) Task Force for the Young Beef Leaders Program. She is a current participant in the IBA Young Beef Leaders Training Program and Illinois Farm Families, which focuses on educating Illinois consumers about agriculture. "With today's dynamic trends focused on food and how it is grown or raised, it is essential to the viability of our industry that we open our doors and share our stories," she says. "Being involved in organizations that serve our livelihood gives me the opportunity to help provide a positive impact, not only every day on our farm, but also with those who enjoy what we produce." Prescott says her participation in various associations fosters networking and provides continuing-education and leadership- development opportunities. By becoming involved fi rst on the local level, she has been able to expand her horizons within the beef industry and work her way up to more active participation at the state and national levels. "I have obtained important certifi cations and improved our herd by learning from others, as well as from sharing my experiences," she says. "More issues and policies are coming to the table with agriculture every day, and it is crucial we stand together to defend the industry." Prescott stresses more producer involvement with beef groups would aid agriculture as a whole. "We all lead busy lives, but taking on roles outside of our own farm's comfort zones is critical to [the] success of our industry," she says. "The involvement and infl uence producers put into these groups shapes our future. It is also important for these associations to have strong membership bases to advocate on behalf of policy positions. The relationships and knowledge producers gain through these organizations provides priceless tools we can't afford not to have to succeed." Trever Hall Springerville, Arizona Commercial cow-calf rancher Trever Hall was recently recognized as part of Vance Publishing's "40 under 40 for Volunteering benefi ts your farm, industry and future. by Barb Baylor Anderson, fi eld editor 35 Keys to Success Industry Involvement & Networking "With today's dynamic trends focused on food and how it is grown or raised, it is essential to the viability of our industry that we open our doors and share our stories." — Sara Prescott