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Red Angus Announces Plans for 2022 National Red Angus Show
the vast implications passing such a measure would have on veterinary care, sustainable livestock production and food costs.
The coalition is hoping that changing the title will provide more clarity to the actual intent of the initiative and provide Colorado citizens with a more transparent view of the potential outcomes.
While waiting for the court to hear the appeal, the Colorado Title Board approved a petition for circulation on April 16 and a mere two days later, proponents of the measure began collecting signatures.
Colorado Governor Polis is opposed to the initiative. Shelby Wieman, deputy press secretary for the State of Colorado, released a statement from the governor’s offi ce saying Polis stands with Colorado agriculture producers.
“Governor Polis stands in solidarity with Colorado farmers and ranchers in opposition to the PAUSE ballot initiative because it would hurt Colorado and destroy jobs,” Wieman said.
If the initiative is assigned a proposition number, over the next 15 months proponents would need to collect nearly 125,000 voter signatures to get on the ballot for the November 2022 election.
Colorado is home to more than 30,000 farms and ranches covering more than 30 million acres of land – nearly half of the state’s total land mass. Colorado agriculture is one of the top three economic sectors in the state and accounts for nearly $50 billion in economic activity. If this petition reaches the ballot in November 2022 and passes, the repercussions would be far-reaching. Not only would Colorado farmers and ranchers be severely impacted, but a critical precedent will also have been set for other states. Already a similar petition, Initiative Petition 13, has been fi led in Oregon for the 2022 general election.
Ranchers, farmers and other industry stakeholders who wish to assist with combating the PAUSE initiative can sign up for updates at www.coloradansforanimalcare.com. Donations are also being accepted to assist with organizing efforts into one unifi ed endeavor. This is an ongoing issue and will be discussed in future issues of the Red Angus Magazine as developments occur. n
by Brandi Buzzard Frobose, Editor and Director of Communications
The Red Angus Association of America board of directors voted to hold the 2022 National Red Angus Open and Pen Shows at the Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City.
This decision comes at the recommendation of the RAAA Show & Sale Committee after soliciting signifi cant feedback from Red Angus exhibitors and breeders. A regional junior show will also be hosted in Oklahoma City. Similarly, a regional junior, pen and open show will be hosted at the National Western Stock Show moving forward.
Exhibitors and interested members should visit RedAngus.org for more information regarding show schedule, fees and other details as they become available in the coming months. n
The RAAA junior activities committee is pleased to name each of the following fi ve JRA members as a recipient of a $1,000 college scholarship.
Emma Ahrendsen
Emma Ahrendsen, from Sioux Rapids, Iowa, is the daughter of Brian and Karla Ahrendsen. She is a graduating senior at Sioux Central Community School where she is involved in FFA, 4-H, NHS, cheerleading and the Junior Red Angus Association at the state and national levels. The Red Angus breed has infl uenced her career path in which she plans to pursue agriculture communications.
Mia Gibson
Mia Gibson is the daughter of Lin and Jim Gibson from Elgin, Iowa. She is a freshman at Des Moines Area Community College majoring in agribusiness. In high school, she was very involved in her FFA chapter, 4-H, county beef association, National Honor Society and the Iowa Junior Red Angus Association. Mia is passionate about the Red Angus breed and agriculture and wants to advocate and promote the Association. After college, she plans on continuing to raise Red Angus cattle and eventually take over the family farm.
Mitchell VanderWal
Mitchell VanderWal, the son of Jeff and Beth VanderWal, is a graduating senior of Northwestern High School in Mellette, South Dakota. His family operation near in Brentford, South Dakota, is comprised primarily of Shorthorn, Hereford and Red Angus cows. These cattle are bred to produce purebred calves that will either be kept as replacements, sold as seedstock or show cattle, or fed out to fi nishing weight in his family’s feedlot. His most vivid memory comes from the 2017 Red Angus Round-Up held in South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska where he met people and learned skills that he will use throughout his career.
Tiffany Watkins
Tiffany Watkins is the daughter of Andy and Sandy Watkins, from Dade City, Florida. She is currently studying livestock production at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Georgia, where she is a member of the Sigma Alpha Sorority and the ABAC Cattlemen’s Association. She is also currently serving on the Junior Red Angus board of directors as secretary. In high school, she was involved in FFA and 4-H, and the Junior Florida Cattlemen’s Association where she held a position on the board of directors. Tiffany has been raising Red Angus for four years and is very passionate about the breed. Her goal is to continue to grow her family’s herd of Red Angus as well as one day own a cattle breeding facility in Florida.
The junior activities committee is also pleased to announce Ali Merritt as the recipient of the $500 Dee Sonstegard Memorial Scholarship.
Ali Merritt
Ali Merrit from Sidney, Montana, is the daughter of Roger and Leigh Merritt. She is a graduating senior at Sidney High School. Throughout high school, she participated in basketball, football manager, track and fi eld, National Honors Society and Leo Club. She is also an 11-year 4-H member. She owns and operates her own registered Red Angus herd. She is truly blessed to have found her love and passion for cattle through her involvement with Red Angus. She plans to further her education and earn a degree in animal science livestock management and work in beef genetics. n
Chastain Spiller
Chastain Spiller of Elbert, Colorado, is the daughter of Decky and Misti Spiller. She has been actively involved in 4-H, FFA, National Honor Society and NAJRAE. Capitalizing on her passions, Chastain and business partner, Tate Welch, started Thousand Hills Red Angus in 2019 as their SAE project for FFA. They plan to continue to expand their registered herd of Red Angus. Chastain will be attending Texas A&M University to study animal science and ag journalism. She hopes to use her writing skills to educate the public on agriculture.
Connect with JRA!
Andrea Rutledge, Montana – President – jraandrea1@gmail.com Izzy McGibbon, Arizona – Vice President – jraizzy1@gmail.com Tiffany Watkins, Florida – Secretary – jratiffany@gmail.com Mia Gibson, Iowa – Director – jramiagibson@gmail.com Peyton Nagel, Illinois – Director – jrapeyton@gmail.com Isaac Berg, Minnesota – Director – jraisaac1@gmail.com Dr. Kim Heller, Director of Junior Programs, juniors@redangus.org
by Brandi Buzzard Frobose, Editor and Director of Communications
A new arrangement between the Red Angus Association of America and IMI Global, a division of Where Food Comes From, Inc., will allow cattle producers who take advantage of Red Angus value-added programs to more easily utilize IMI Global verifi cation services.
Cattle producers who enroll in Red Angus value-added programs will now have the capability to start the application process for IMI Global claims on the same phone call, saving valuable time and streamlining the enrollment process.
Harold Bertz, RAAA director of commercial marketing, said, “The RAAA is excited to expand our relationship with IMI Global. This partnership will allow our current value-added customers to have access to the medley of proven programs at IMI Global, –programs that are documented to add value.”
IMI Global offers multiple verifi cation programs to boost cattle producers’ profi t potential, including non-hormone treated cattle, verifi ed natural and grass-fed beef, as well as its newest sustainability program, BeefCare.
“We have a long history with the Red Angus Association of America because they have always been very forward-thinking. RAAA is always looking at ways to help Red Angus producers and this new collaboration really highlights that. This new development will give Red Angus producers more opportunities while being able to work with a team they know very well. It’s a win for everyone,” stated Doug Stanton, vice president of sales for IMI Global.
This update comes after several years of positive collaboration between RAAA and IMI Global and is another step in providing top-tier service to cattle producers who are seeking premiums through Red Angus value-added marketing options. Verifi cation through Red Angus value-added programs like the Feeder Calf Certifi cation Program can improve ranchers’ returns by up to $2.98/cwt while verifi cation through IMI Global provides convenient access to natural and non-hormone treated cattle programs that are in high demand in the beef industry.
Because the FCCP is already providing verifi cation for age, source and genetics, producers who enroll calves in the program can use the same program compliant tag or EID as the identifi er for Red Angus and IMI Global programs.
For more information about FCCP enrollment, contact Chessie Mitchell, RAAA valued-added programs coordinator, at chessie@redangus.org or 940-477-4593.
For more information about IMI Global, contact Doug Stanton with IMI Global at dstanton@imiglobal. com or 866-395-5883. n
How to Enroll in FCCP and AA
1.The producer contacts the
Red Angus Association of
America at (940) 226-4762 and answers a short supplier enrollment questionnaire over the phone. RAAA staff will ask general management, animal identifi cation and breeding questions. If needed, the producer may be asked to supply additional documentation on breeding such as semen receipt, lease agreements or information on purchased females. 2.After all documentation is recorded, staff will ship the tags directly to the producer who must tag the calves before they leave the ranch of origin – birth, branding, preconditioning, weaning or before loading on the semi. 3.The producer will receive a customer enrollment agreement to fi ll out and return to RAAA with a copy of their calving records. 4.Staff will issue the USDAapproved Certifi cate of
Compliance upon receiving the customer enrollment agreement and calving record.
FCCP Tags
99¢ each Allied Access Tags
99¢ each EID Combo Sets
$3 each
The Red Angus Feeder Calf Certifi cation Program is the fi rst step in differentiating your cattle to buyers, feedlots and packers. Experience industry-leading return on investment for just the cost of an ear tag – with no enrollment fees. The Red Angus Association of America Marketing Team offers assistance to Red Angus bull customers at no charge.
Visit RedAngus.org for contact information.
Red Angus Marketing
• FCCP (Yellow Tag) • Allied Access (Green Tag) • Premium Red Baldy (White Tag) • American Red (Blue Tag)
