Hotwire, November 2019

2020AJSA AJSAEvents Events 2018 Early April – Watch AJSA website and Facebook for upcoming information April 15 – Hotel Scholarship deadline – find application at juniorsimmental.org May 1 – Regional Classic Early deadline, 4:30pm MDT Event registration fees double between May 1, 4:31pm and May 8, 4:30pm May 8 – Regional Classic final entry deadline, 4:30pm MDT May 15 – National Classic Early deadline, 4:30pm, MDT Event registration fees double between May 15, 4:31pm and May 22, 4:30pm May 22 – National Classic Final deadline, 4:30pm MDT June 1 – Bronze, Silver and Gold Merit Scholarship applications, Trustee Applications, Photography contest, and Eileen DuJardin Memorial scholarship due. Send to ajsa@simmgene.com June 9-13 – AJSA Eastern Regional Classic, Cookeville, TN July 5-11 – AJSA National Classic, Grand Island, NE TBA – AJSA South Central Regional Classic AJSA Western Regional Classic *All deadlines are Mountain Daylight Time Start planning to attend the 40th Anniversary of the AJSA at the 2020 National Classic!

AJSA 2018-2019 Board of Directors President Clay Sundberg 815-878-6758 csundberg@live.com

VP Leadership Teegan Mackey 512-718-3165 tteeeeegan@gmail.com VP Finance Cody Smith 405-756-6905 codys7022@gmail.com VP Marketing Rachel Dickson 740-915-1160 dicksonfarms21@gmail.com Eastern Regional Trustees Olivia Branum 601-466-3733 oliviabranum25@gmail.com

Cara Smith 336-601-2681 carasmith142@gmail.com South Central Region Trustees Kennedy Early 660-525-2583 earlykennedy@gmail.com North Central Region Trustees Hunter Aggen 507-923-0815 hma2017@hotmail.com

Boarders Inn & Suites 3333 Ramada Road • Grand Island, NE 308-384-5150 Group Rate: $99.00 plus tax, Block Name: Simmental Cutoff Date: June 19, 2019 Ramada Midtown 2503 South Locust St. • Grand Island, NE 308-384-1330 Group rate: $101.95 plus tax, Block Name: 2020 Junior Simmental Cutoff date: June 7, 2020 Holiday Inn Express & Suites 3404 West Faidley Ave • Grand Island, NE 308-675-1118 Group Rate: $149.95 plus tax for 2 Queen Beds, Block Name: Simmental Classic Cutoff date: May 15, 2020

November 2019

VP Membership Communications Kara Cloud 417-793-1414 kara.cloud0820@gmail.com

Luke Harker 812-371-7976 lukeharker2252@gmail.com

Hotel headquarters for the 2020 AJSA National Classic

2019 National Classic: Scenes from Louisville

Grace Greiman 641-512-1662 grace.greiman@gmail.com Martha Moenning 504-923-1114 marthamoenning@gmail.com Western Region Trustees Bentley McCullough 406-788-1669 bentley383@yahoo.com Sydney Schwenk 503-847-6828 sydney.schwenk55@gmail.com Keanna Smith 970-769-0357 keannasmith2@gmail.com

“Funded in part by the American Simmental-Simbrah Foundation”

President’s Update Clay Sundberg, AJSA President It’s hard to believe it’s November already. It seems like just yesterday I was in Louisville, Kentucky, with hundreds of other junior members at the National Classic. During this fun-filled week, it was exciting to see the competitiveness the junior membership exhibited in not only the cattle shows but the educational contests as well. I would like to thank all of the juniors for participating in our well-attended annual meeting. Although it was sad to see our retired Trustees go, we are grateful for all of the leadership and guidance they’ve displayed in their time on the Board. We were excited to welcome the newly elected Trustees to the Board. Since July, the AJSA Board has been working on improving our great junior program with suggestions from others.

One of our exciting changes for the upcoming year is the new format for our junior division of the public speaking contest!

Now, school is back full-swing and that means so are the fall PTP shows. I hope you had an opportunity to talk to one of the AJSA Trustees in Kansas City, but if not there will be a number of us at the NAILE and the NWSS. We are again excited to help at the PTP shows along with attending the Foundation Gala in Denver.

To keep up to date with the happenings of the AJSA, check us out on Facebook for any upcoming events or activities. If you ever have any questions please feel free to contact myself or any other AJSA Trustees.

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What’s Inside

Clay Sundberg

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Recap of the AJSA South Central Regional Eastern Regional Recap Where Are They Now AJSA Trustees Addition This Year at the AJSA National Classic

2019-2020 AJSA Board of Trustees

AJSA Summer in Review 2019 National Classic Scenes From Louisville

Editor’s Note: Check out the American Simmental Association’s SimmAPP to stay up-to-date on the latest ASA, AJSA, and beef cattle industry news. SimmAPP is available on Google Play, Apple store, and Amazon apps.

Recap of the AJSA South Central Regional

By Kara Cloud VP of Membership Communications Junior members throughout the country stampeded to Cowboy Country this past June 19-22 to participate in the South Central Regional Classic. The Oklahoma Junior Simmental-Simbrah Association along with the help of the Oklahoma Simmental Simbrah Association put on an awesome four-day event.

Exhibitors and their families traveled to Stillwater, Oklahoma to participate in the educational contests and cattle show. There were 104 contestants and 185 cattle present. Exhibitors had three jam-packed days of contests. This included sales talk, public speaking, livestock judging, cattlemen’s quiz, and genetic evaluation quiz. They also were able to show off their skills in showmanship which was judged by Kristin and Clayton Whittmore, Arkansas. Jake Scott from Nebraska sorted through a competitive cattle show on Saturday. While it was a week full of competition, there was also some fun involved! Juniors participated in a fun race as well. Juniors were able to make so many mem-

Where Are They Now: AJSA Trustees Addition

This Year at the AJSA National Classic

By Grace Grieman North Central Region Trustee

By Rachel Dickson VP of Marketing

ories throughout the week whether it was in the barns or ringside.

Events like this could not be possible without the support of numerous sponsors. It is a big task to put on a show of this caliber, and it would not be possible without their help.

A huge thank-you to those who were helping behind the scenes as well.

Stay tuned to see where next year’s regional classics will be held!

1) What is your background in the Simmental breed?

I raise registered Simmentals with my dad and grandpa. My dad and aunt grew up showing Simmentals and participated in the AJSA programs. I recently aged out and retired from the AJSA Board of Trustees, but I had been involved in the program since I was nine years-old.

I never missed a National Classic and loved every minute of being an AJSA member.

2) Where do you currently live and what is your current involvement in agriculture?

Jordan Cowger

I recently moved to D.C. and started law school at George Washington University. I hope to pursue a practice that allows me to represent those in the agriculture industry, but for now I’m just navigating law school. There is an incredible agricultural community in D.C. though. Through the lobbying agencies and associations that are all based here, they are trying to make sure agriculture’s voice is heard in the Capital.

3) What are your aspirations for the future of the American Simmental Association?

The AJSA has grown in so many great ways since I became a member in 2007. I hope to see the Association continue to take charge of itself and keep growing with the industry. I hope as AJSA members you realize your time is going to go faster than you’re ready for. Embrace it and cherish it, but you are the membership that has the power to make the Association what you want. Elect passionate Trustees, make friends everywhere you go, and realize how important this organization will be in shaping your future.

Kristin and Clayton Whittmore

Eastern Regional Recap “Country roads, take me home, to the place I belong, West Virginia, mountain mama, take me home, country roads.”

John Denver.

In the words of John Denver, the country roads we encountered were far from what this Indiana boy is used to. Thanks to some generous friends who allowed us to lay over, my brother and I got to experience the true one-lane country roads, some of which made us hold our breath and others with six foot wide bridges. All roads aside, the “Mountain State” is full of history and scenic views.

With 115 total participants from sixteen different states, the 2019 AJSA Eastern Regional in Lewisburg, West Virginia, was one of the largest Regional Classics to date. Even with a limited senior board, the West Virginia Simmental Association made Regionals a very enjoyable time “Country roads, take me home, to the place with excellent hospitality. A special thanks to the Ohio Junior I belong, West Virginia, mountain mama, Simmental Association for their generous assistance. take me home, country roads” The funding of these events is extremely important to their existence. Dr. Fred Swain has been a major supporter of the Eastern Region and has worked diligently to provide funds. The Eastern Junior Simmental Classic Fundraising Auction has been working for many years to raise funds for any state in the eastern region that wants to host the Eastern Regional. This year the Eastern Junior Simmental funding committee started a scholarship designed for Eastern Junior members. There were seven highly qualified applications submitted and reviewed. The committee made a decision to provide two of these members with scholarships. The two recipients were Emily Ivey and Olivia Branum, congratulations and good luck with your endeavors.

In addition, thank you to all of the supporters of the Eastern region and we are extremely grateful for your contributions.

their families do some sight-seeing.

Wednesday morning, juniors got the chance to compete in the Sullivan Supply/Stock Show U Team Fitting Contest and sales talk. That night juniors and even the Board of Trustees, busted out their moves and attended the AJSA Dance. Thursday and Friday consisted of our Classic show and the Simmental Breeders Sweepstakes junior show.

Thank you to all the judges that took the time to evaluate the cattle at this year’s National Classic, your time and dedication to this industry is second-tonone. On Saturday morning, exhibitors competed in the showmanship contest and ended their time in Louisville by attending the awards banquet.

Not only were this year’s National Classic another successful one, but it was time for juniors to learn more about the industry, catch up with old friends and meet new ones. Without Drew and Holli Hatmaker, Darla Aegerter and the rest of ASA staff, the AJSA Board of Trustees, Simmental Breeders Sweepstakes staff, the judges of each event, and all the people who sponsored and donated to our event, none of this would have been possible. I want to congratulate all the exhibitors on a great week and all the hard work each and every one of you put into your cattle and the educational contests.

We are looking forward to next year’s National Classic in Grand Island, Nebraska, and we hope to see you all there!

4) Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In 10 years, I hope to be practicing for a firm that allows me to represent the interests of those in the agriculture industry.

What that looks like is hard to predict now, but I hope to be able to fight for the science and innovation side of agriculture.

We all know the changes and criticisms that are coming at the industry, but while that’s happening, we still have fewer resources and more people to feed. Protecting technologies in the agriculture industry is important and I hope to work in that area.

5) What inspired you to apply for a position on the American Junior Simmental Association Board of Trustees?

By Luke Harker Eastern Trustee

This year the American Junior Simmental Association National Classic was held July 22-28 in Louisville, Kentucky, and exhibitors and their families Raced to the Bluegrass! We had a total of 640 cattle exhibited and 364 exhibitors who competed in everything from sales talk to public speaking, from the cattle show and the judging contest. On Monday, exhibitors attended opening ceremonies with their state association, participated in the mentor program, and took the cattlemen’s and genetic evaluation quizzes. Tuesday consisted of the livestock judging contest and public speaking, then rounded out with the Kentucky Derby Museum and Churchill Downs tour, which allowed juniors and

Everything that the AJSA gave me was reason enough to run for the Board. They will teach you how to communicate, how to be confident in your abilities, and just how valuable the Simmental and beef industry can be to the future of agriculture. I encourage anyone who is interested to run for the Board, or at minimum get involved in all the programs the AJSA has to offer. You won’t regret it, plus you’re bound to meet incredible people along the way! Be the change you want to see in the breed!

AJSA Summer in Review

By Cody Smith Vice President of Finance

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With cooler weather approaching and excitement building for the fall majors, it’s a great time to look back at the tremendous success of the AJSA National and Regional Classics. The Regional Classics kicked off to an awesome building block for exhibitors to get out and make connections as well as participating in educational contests. Following this, we raced to the bluegrass for an awesome National Classic hosted by the Simmental Breeders Sweepstakes. It was a great week full of good cattle and even better people. This coupled with the air-conditioned barns, fun activities, and great educational contests developed a recipe for an ideal week in Kentucky that came together as great as possible!

Exhibitors from all across the US as well as Canada raced in for the event. The show itself could be deemed nothing shy of impressive. As showday was in full-swing, the exhibitors’ hard work and dedication certainly shined as judges Schnoor and Rathman sorted through the incredible depth of quality in classes. At the end of the week, exhibitors were recognized for their accomplishments in the educational contests that took place throughout the week prior to the show. To accompany this, we held our second annual “People’s Choice Award” that again, was exceptionally successful. The junior involvement was certainly a key highlight of the week.

With each passing year, it's inevitable to overlook the growth of the members as well as an increase in involvement from them. This year was nothing shy of expectations as young people reached out to each other and made friends or lent a helping hand, while pushing themselves to their full potential during each contest. None of this could be possible without the work of the Simmental Sweepstakes crew as well as AJSA Youth Coordinator Darla Aegerter who we cannot continue to thank enough. If you missed out on the fun this year, listen to the hype and be sure to mark your calendar for another great National Classic next year as we head to Grand Island, Nebraska!