The Angus Journal® is a monthly magazine known for in-depth coverage of American Angus Association® programs and services; the Angus business; herd management; and advertising reflecting genetics and herd philosophies.
Issue link: http://angusjournal.epubxp.com/i/529629
34 n ANGUSJournal n July 2015 Give and receive When we make an effort to help others without expecting materialistic rewards, the world is a little better place, and the hardships that may arise in our industry are a little easier to get through. Whether it be comforting those who experience a loved one's loss, sickness or injury by providing them with a home-cooked meal, or helping mend damages from a storm, the power of a good neighbor is simply unmatched. Ranching is different than any other business. My father always told me, "Cowboys and cattle don't get holidays." He's right. Tending the land and livestock always comes frst. Unlike those who work in the hustle and bustle of town life, we seldom get to pick our work hours, days off or an annual vacation destination. We start our days before the sun rises and are willing and able to run on few hours of sleep during those calving months, but we do it because we love it. The more I travel, the more I appreciate the people in the cattle industry. There's something about how gracious and kind we are to one another. The give-and-receive relationship we've formed with neighbors simply makes the work more enjoyable. I couldn't imagine branding season without the whole neighborhood coming out to help us work calves and enjoy the company of each other. It goes without saying, there's no paycheck at the end of the day, just a home- cooked meal and return of a favor. I think the true beauty that sets our industry apart from others is that we are always there for one another. Through celebration or turmoil we rely on one another, and to me, that's something to be proud of. — Shane Kerner, Idaho Shane Kerner Next Generation @ Postcard from an NJAA director and state spotlights. Compiled by Kasey Brown. ASSOCIATION National Junior Recognition Program Cody Boden, Clear Brook, Va.; Mary Oliver, Union City, Tenn.; and Tyler Steele, Anita, Iowa, have earned the National Junior Angus Association's (NJAA) Bronze and Silver awards, according to Jaclyn Upperman, education and events director of the American Angus Association in Saint Joseph, Mo. Robert Nixon III, Rapidan, Va., has earned the NJAA Silver award. Boden, the 17-year-old son of Mike and Ruth Boden attends James Wood High School and is a member of the NJAA and the Virginia Junior Angus Association, which he serves as reporter and has also served as director, and the Northern Virginia Junior Angus Association. He has participated in local, state, regional and national shows and showmanship contests. At the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), Cody participated in quiz bowl, extemporaneous speaking, team sales, team ftting, photography, livestock judging and the All-American Certifed Angus Beef® (CAB®) Cook-Off. He served as a voting delegate in 2014. In 2012 and 2013 he participated in the Raising the Bar conferences. He also participated in the Mini Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) conferences in 2010 and 2011. Cody has submitted weight data to Angus Herd Improvement Records (AHIR®) and consigned cattle at the MC Livestock Sale. He is actively involved with his local 4-H club and FFA. Oliver, the 18-year-old daughter of Al and Laura Oliver, attends Union City High School and is a member of the NJAA and the Tennessee Junior Angus Association, which she serves as royalty. She has participated in local, state, regional and national shows and showmanship contests. At the NJAS, Mary participated in quiz bowl and livestock judging. She will also be serving as a voting delegate this July. Steele, the 19-year-old son of Douglas and Lynette Steele, attends CAM High School and is a member of the NJAA and the Iowa Junior Angus Association, which he serves as director. He has participated in local and national shows and showmanship contests. At the NJAS, Tyler participated in quiz bowl, extemporaneous speaking, team sales and Power of a neighbor One of the most important life lessons I've learned from my parents growing up is the value of always treating others the way you want to be treated, or as we call it, by "The Golden Rule." It doesn't take long to realize that the Golden Rule's message goes far beyond a saying; it's a way of life. When refecting on the ways of the West, I'm proud to say that I've been raised to serve and respect others by following the Golden Rule and have experienced frsthand how much of an impact it can make on a ranching community. NJAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS TERMS UP IN 2015 CORY WATT, South Carolina, chairman SHANE KERNER, Idaho, vice chairman, skcattleco@icloud.com TYLEE JO WILLIAMS, Texas, communications director, williams@ttu.edu WILL FISKE, Virginia, Foundation director, willf3@vt.edu JESSICA RADCLIFFE, Wisconsin, leadership director, radclff2@illinois.edu LINDSAY UPPERMAN, Pennsylvania, membership director, lupperman20@gmail.com TERMS UP IN 2016 MICHAEL CROPP, Maryland, mscropp@ksu.edu LAUREN GRIMES, Ohio, l-grimes@onu.edu JAKE HEIMSOTH, Missouri, jacob2626.JH@gmail.com ALEX ROGEN, South Dakota, alex.rogen@jacks.sdstate.edu KATLYN TUNSTILL, Arkansas, katy.tunstill@okstate.edu EVAN WOODBURY, Kansas, evanwoodbury16@ksu.edu Visit the NJAA web site at www.njaa.info. NJAA ON FACEBOOK: http://on.fb.me/p2sldu 35 Keys to Success Being a Good Neighbor