The Simmental Trails, by Jennie Rucker

THE SIMMENTAL TRAIL

ASA Fall Focus. The American Simmental Association, together with the Virginia Simmental Association, hosted the Fall Focus in Roanoke, Va., August 26-30. My husband and I attended the event on Friday and Saturday. Friday, we boarded buses to tour some great farms using Simmental genetics. The first stop was Tim and Kathy Sutphin’s place, Hillwinds Farm, in Dublin, Virginia. They run a commercial operation with both

Bill McDonald welcomes everyone to his farm as Wade Shafer from the ASA looks on.

By JENNIE RUCKER Executive Secretary N.C. Simmental Association

Bill’s license plate says it all.

cow/calf and stockers. They have retained ownership of their slaughter cattle for 34 years and are very pleased with the way Simmental complements their Angus, SimAngus, and even Charolais terminal crosses. They breed using artificial insemination, and Tim Sutphin is very quick to say that his Simmental are much more fertile than the Angus. We were able to see some of his cattle on feed.

Then we went to McDonald Farms in Blacksburg, Virginia. Bill McDonald

We did get to tour Bill’s homestead, which was built in 1790 and is still lived in today.

is a former ASA trustee, and he has been producing bulls for commercial cattlemen for years. His farm has been in the family for eight generations, and we were even able to tour his homeplace, which was built in 1790. His mother currently still lives in the old house, and she was quite amusing to talk with! Unfortunately, Bill

The home’s original hearth. had worked his cattle the previous day, and so all we saw of the cattle were black cattle on the hills, but even that was a beautiful sight.

The Virginia Tech meats lab served some of the best brisket ever!

After McDonald Farms, the bus went through the Virginia Tech campus, where we saw the old beef farm and the current horse and sheep facilities. Then it was a good way out of the city limits to the new beef farm, Kentland Farm. There we viewed cattle and even had a foot and leg scoring demonstration that was very educational. The ASA would like all producers to do feet and leg scoring in the future so that EPDs can be obtained from that data. We were all served the most delicious beef brisket cooked by the Virginia Tech meats lab. It was served by a fun group of Junior Virginia Simmental members. This meal alone was worth the

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The Friday night crowd was entertained by the bluegrass band, New Standard.

trip to Roanoke! A bluegrass band, New Standard, entertained everyone as we had dinner and socialized. It really was good to meet Simmental producers from across the United States.

Dessert was some local Homestead Ice Cream.

The next day, Saturday, we were at an educational symposium in the Hotel Roanoke. These were mainly discussions on genomics, and honestly, a good bit of these talks was more in depth than my understanding, but I did learn a lot. The talk on fixed time artificial insemination was especially good for producers. We left after Saturday’s events due to the N.C. Simmental Association’s big events the next weekend, but I commend the Virginia Simmental Association for all they did to put together a really good, fun, and educational event.

Staunch N.C. Simmental supporter Donald Bangma talks to the crowd.

N.C. Simmental Association Annual Meeting. The N.C. Simmental Association held its annual meeting at Shuffler Sale Facility in Union Grove on September 2. There were around 60 people in attendance, and everyone enjoyed a beef dinner prepared by Roy Swisher with cheese, potatoes, green beans, and rolls, followed by a special cake decorated for the association. Gene Price from Monroe gave the prayer, then President Charlie Thomas opened the meeting.

This year the Fall Harvest Sale was dedicated to former Governor Jim and Carolyn Hunt. Ralph Blalock came and told about how the Hunts had financially helped the association out in the late ‘90s with a dinner at the Governor’s Mansion where they raised money for the Jim Graham Junior Simmental Scholarship and for the association’s treasury. Then Marvin Hutchison talked about how they always brought one of a kind items to the fundraising auction, such as tickets to N.C. State basketball games or football games. Marvin himself purchased some of those items and had such good times with the Hunts that he and his sons will treasure those memories always. Then Preston Cornelius talked about the history of the Simmental breed in North Carolina. Since we have so many new members, it was good to look back at the past so that we, as an association, can plan what we can do for the future.

The oldest Simmental producer in North Carolina entertained everyone with tales of past Simmental history.

Then Charlie recognized Doug Keziah for consigning the top indexing SimAngus bull at Butner and Eugene Shuffler for consigning the top indexing SimAngus bull at Waynesville. Chad Joines from the Virginia Simmental Association talked a little about the ASA Fall Focus held in Roanoke. Then Amy Thomas, the junior advisor, gave a short review of the summer the juniors just had. She really stressed how proud our association is of Mattie Harward of Richfield for winning champion senior showmanship at the AJSA Junior Nationals.

Years of cattle experience was sitting around this table. Darrell, Cayte, and Clara Mitchell enjoyed the Annual Meeting supper.

The Fall Harvest Sale Manager, Doug Parke, talked about the cattle to be sold on Saturday. He said, “This is the most consistent set of cattle we have ever sold, top to bottom.” He recognized the first time consignors: Seth Barkley, Timmy Lucas, and Todd Alford. Jennie Rucker told everyone about our new website under construction and that we should be able to offer classified ads to everyone as another way to market their cattle.

Cooper Joines holds up a beautiful barn quilt that sold for $275.

The outgoing directors were recognized with a plaque. They are Philip Watson, Eugene Shuffler, and Zack Moffitt. Both Philip and Eugene are able to serve another term, so they were recommended by the Board along with Anna English. The membership voted for these three to serve as directors. The meeting was adjourned to the auction of donated items.

This year a new consignor served as our Friday night auctioneer. Matthew Lucas did a great job as auctioneer, and he helped raise $1,272.50 for the adult association and $544.50 for the junior association. Then, after all the raffle tickets were sold, Clara Mitchell helped draw out the winning ticket, and this year the chain saw went to Jonathan Massey of Burlington. This Stihl chain saw was donated by Erin Beth and Preston Pinkston of Pinkston’s Lawn Mowers in Wadesboro, North Carolina. This really helps with our fundraising. Next month there will be a complete report on the Fall Harvest Sale.

President Charlie Thomas (middle) presents Philip Watson and Eugene Shuffler with plaques for serving as Directors.