From the Editor

Summer has flown by and I am trying to soak up the remaining days of warmth while also preparing for our busiest time of the year. I wrote very little for this issue of SimTalk, which is ok by me since I had so much great content to pull from. We have been fortunate to have Montana State University student Anna Lilly Platts Sponheim interning with us over the summer. She has experience beyond her years, having worked for the Montana Beef Council and Western Ag Network, and has been a huge asset to our team. Anna interviewed SimAngus breeder and NCBA President Don Schiefelbein for the headlining feature. His insight on our industry is impactful and drives home the fact that we must find unity if we want our industry to survive. That is one of the core principles here at ASA, and a message I wish I could shout from the rooftops. Communicating well, and being in a mindset to do so, is not an easy task. As Don discusses, we have to figure out how to work together and communicate before we can tackle the larger issues facing the beef industry. Rural people can be independent and hard-headed — I know that firsthand — and this independence doesn’t always lead to productive communication. Openness is often perceived as weakness when in reality it takes a lot of courage. Having a conversation with your neighbor who has a different organizational affiliation does not mean you lack commitment to your own cause. It means you care about understanding them. Finding this common ground will lead to shared goals and progress. In our “science corner,” we have an article from Sean McGrath explaining recombination. If you have ever wondered why there are differences among a group of animals from the same exact mating, this article will explain it. Cari Rincker wrote a helpful article about negotiating hunting leases. Growing up, we would have multiple strangers pull in our driveway each day during hunting season, and there were definitely some disagreements and awkward situations. Having things planned out in advance always helped, and Cari offers some tips to making sure hunting lease agreements are legally sound. We also have a piece about the power of heterosis by Lane Giess, a recap of the STYLE program, and an interview with Lorentz Meats plant manager, Denise Perry. I hope everyone has a great start to fall!

ST