Shorthorn News
American Shorthorn Association Participates in Missouri Cattlemen’s Leadership College. The American Shorthorn Association’s Executive Secretary/CEO, Montie D. Soules, presented on a panel of industry leaders at the 2021 Missouri Cattlemen’s Leadership College’s Second Session recently in Kansas City. The Missouri Cattlemen’s Leadership College (MCLC) identifies the next great leaders of the beef industry and cultivates their knowledge during the year. In their second session, attendees gathered in Northwest Missouri to hear from the program sponsor, Merck Animal Health, meet with beef breed associations, including the American Shorthorn Association, and visit member operations of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association. “It is a pleasure to invest in the future of the beef industry,” said Soules. “Our breed has a strong history in the United States. We strive as an association to assist our members in providing a profitable beef product.” On the panel, Soules shared with
attendees the role he serves at the ASA, the impact the association has on the industry, and the progress of the Shorthorn breed. As America’s first beef breed association, the American Shorthorn Association celebrates 150 years beginning this fall. Attendees to the MCLC will convene again this fall and graduate at the 53rd Annual Missouri Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show. National Junior Shorthorn Show and Youth Conference Reports Record Breaking Entries. The American Junior Shorthorn Association (AJSA) hosted the “Shorthorn Safari” National Junior Shorthorn Show & Youth Conference on June 20-26 at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville, Kentucky. This year, a record breaking 932 entries were exhibited in Louisville. Over 450 junior members from 28 states entered the Junior Nationals. In totality, these numbers are a significant increase over previous years. “The NJSS is such an important event for the youth and future of the
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The Carolina Cattle Connection q JULY 2021
agricultural industry, so it is exciting to see how our show grows each year,” says Shelby Diehm, Director of Marketing, Communications, and Youth Activities. “In the last five years we have more than 100 additional youth participating, and cattle numbers have risen even more. I can’t wait to see where it continues to go.” The AJSA strives to engage its members in opportunities that develop character, promote valuable skills, and build lifelong friendships. The National Junior Shorthorn Show & Youth Conference promotes these goals by bringing members together to participate in shows and educational contests. This year, junior members participated in the following contests in addition to the Shorthorn show: art & etc., beef cook off, career development, cattleman’s written test, digital photography, graphic design, herdsman quiz bowl, junior herdsman, livestock judging, photography, promotional poster, showmanship, speech, state basket, state cook off/tailgate party, team fitting, and team salesmanship contests. In addition, $18,500 in scholarships were presented to AJSA members through the Shorthorn Foundation. U.S. Beef Breeds Council Elects ASA Executive Secretary/CEO as President. The U.S. Beef Breeds Council (USBBC) met in late May, electing new officers to preside over the organization and discuss upcoming goals. The American Shorthorn Association’s Executive Secretary/CEO, Montie D. Soules, was elected President and will serve a two year term. The USBBC is comprised of United States beef breed executives and oversees the appointment of the Ultrasound Guidelines Council (UGC) executive
director and board of directors. Past President Wade Shafer, Ph.D. of the American Simmental Association, oversaw the meeting and election of new officers. “Using the strength of all beef breeds in a united way allows us to show our elected officials wrongful claims in our industry can hurt the income and longevity of our members of all U.S. Beef breeds,” said Montie Soules. Robert Williams, Ph.D. of the American Wagyu Association, was elected Vice President of the USBBC. “This is a great organization bringing together strong breed executives representing the purebred cattle industry that will have the abilities to carry forward our goals.” During the May meeting, the USBBC discussed goals moving forward and plans to unite all U.S. beef breeds as a strong front against those opposing the animal agriculture and meat industry by attempting to advertise non-beef products as beef products. Soules adds, “All of our members are affected in the same way. If we unite, we will be able to use all of our strengths in multiple ways.” About the American Shorthorn Association. The mission of the ASA is to provide quality service and support to its members by promoting the value of Shorthorn cattle in all aspects of the beef industry while maintaining the integrity of the herd book and performance database. The ASA is headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., and was founded in 1872 with herdbook records going back to 1822. As one of the oldest American breed associations, the ASA provides services for more than 6,000 junior and senior members who register more than 15,000 cattle annually. To learn more, contact the ASA office or visit www.shorthorn.org.
