BOARDS OF DIRECTORS
ACA BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Time for Change by Derek Evans, At Large Director Ken Culp, III, Ph.D– President At Large Director • Kentucky • Term expires 2022 859.227.7506 • ken.culp@uky.edu Justin Tracy – Vice President At Large Director • Nebraska • Term expires 2020 806.445-2496 • justin@tracycattle.com Andy Higgins, Secretary Southeast Region • Tennessee • Term expires 2020 615.330.6446 • higg1andy@aol.com Lyle Sexton, Treasurer At Large • Iowa • Term expires 2021 319.461.6337 • lsgwp6337@gmail.com Randy Gaddis At Large • Missouri • Term expires 2020 660.562.9509 • gaddisrl@yahoo.com Ryan Dunklau Northwest Region • Nebraska • Term expires 2020 402.369.2025 • dunkcattleco@gmail.com Larry Garrett Northeast Region • Indiana • Term expires 2021 765.969.0154 • lgarrett@globalsite.net Mike Stoppel At Large • Kansas • Term expires 2021 785.445.2671 • mikestoppel@yahoo.com Dr. Robin Sheets At Large • Indiana • Term expires 2021 765.583.4565 • rsheets462@aol.com Tyler Winegardner At Large • Ohio • Term expires 2022 419.236.4375 • tylerwinegardner@icloud.com Segayle Foster Southwest Region • Texas • Term expires 2022 806.445.2496 • segaylef@yahoo.com Derek Evans At Large • Kentucky • Term expires 2022 217.218.0242 • derek@summitflooring.us
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nlike many of you, I was not raised in the Chianina breed. I had the pleasure of being introduced to it by my wife Kelsey Evans (Culp). I remember it like it was yesterday. It was the National Junior Heifer Show in Louisville, Ky. While my wife would probably like me to remember our first cow show together and the memories that we made, I simply remember how good the cattle were and how much fun the Junior members seemed to be having. I knew right in that moment, I wanted to become involved and start raising Chianina cattle. Now mind you, I had attended many other cattle breed Junior Nationals before, but this event was different. I was hooked! I loved how the Chianina’s were so well made from the side, but were wide based, huge footed and packed with tons of shape and dimension. The cattle that hit me the hardest were the Chiangus females – maternal perfection with more bone, balance and muscle than the traditional Angus. I was purely a spectator at this event, but I knew I had to be involved in this breed, in some way. I was blown away with why the Chianina breed was not more widely popular, and I still struggle with this today. I realize that times are different and things cost a lot more than they used too. I believe the Chianina breed is resilient and the biggest thing the ACA offers is breeding versatility. From Fullblood, American Purebreds, Chiangus, Red Chiangus, Chiford and Chianina, we register them all. We allow our breeders to use their Chianina genetics how they see fit in their operations, whether you are a cow-calf guy, a commercial cattleman, a seed stock producer, a commercial feeder or a show family. The Chianina Association has something for everyone. My journey down memory lane is for a purpose – to inform you on how I was changed by a single moment or event in time like most people are and how it changed my course through life. Recently, the board of directors choose to implement a one-year trial Composite Show for registered Chianina heifers that fall below 6.25% Chianina. This show will be at the 2021 NJHS in Chickasha, Okla. I am grateful to be involved with breeders and livestock producers who are willing to embrace change. This is a very big step for our Junior program as many Junior Members and nonmembers have been able to breed, purchase and register these animals but were not allowed to exhibit them at our biggest Junior event of the year, the very same event that got me into this breed. If we can help one, two or ten Junior Members to develop their love and desire for this breed, I deem this opportunity a success. What we must realize and embrace is that these young folks are the future of this breed and of agriculture. The more members we can influence and inform through a Composite Show, a Chianina Show, a Chiangus or a Chiford Show, the better chance we have of surviving the agriculture exodus. My dad always told me he could present me with any opportunity but
| CHIANINA JOURNAL | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
