Angus Producers Gather for NAC&T
OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 7, 2008) — Angus breeders from across the nation journeyed to the nation’s heartland of Oklahoma for this year’s National Angus Conference & Tour (NAC&T), appropriately themed “An Angus Gathering.” Sponsored by Purina Mills LLC and Alpharma Animal Health, the conference was conducted at the Clarion Meridian Convention Center in Oklahoma City.
Breeders joined together Monday evening for hors d’oeuvres and fellowship to kick off the event. Approximately 400 breeders had registered for the conference and more were expected.
Association Regional Manager Matt Caldwell welcomed producers to the conference Tuesday morning, recognizing conference sponsors, as well as Association staff and Board members. He introduced Paul Hill, American Angus Association president and chairman of the Board, who also welcomed the group.
“The Angus breed has attracted many, many excellent people over the years,” said the Bidwell, Ohio, manager and partner in Champion Hill. “The people are as important as the cattle.” Hill said he was looking forward to a very educational conference program and a lot of good Angus cattle that Oklahoma producers were sure to have on display during the tour.
Hill recognized among the audience guests attending from Canada, Australia and Columbia.
Kicking off the informational program, Iowa State University Agricultural Economist John Lawrence presented a “Challenge of the Decade: A State of the Industry.” Smithfield Pork Technical Operations Manager William Herring shared Smithfields genetic selection and improvement strategies, paralleling them to those in the beef industry.
Mark Allan, a research geneticist at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Neb., presented an overview of genetic selection tools available now and that will be available in the future. He emphasized DNA technology and its application for marker-assisted management as well as marker-assisted selection.
Paul Roach, meat director for Reasor’s retail stores thanked Angus producers for their contribution to his livelihood and shared how Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) brand products have been central to the chain’s success. Rod Nulik, cattle marketing manager for Purina Mills LLC, emphasized the importance of building long-term relationships, which require all parties to look at what they can give to the partnership as well as what they receive.
The afternoon’s session featured a panel of producers sharing their philosophies on marketing seedstock. Panel members included Don Meador of Dreamcatcher Ranch, San Marcos, Texas; Leo McDonnell of Midland Bull Test, Columbus, Mont.; and Dick Beck Jr. of Three Trees Ranch, Sharpsburg, Ga. Deb Norton of Topeka Graphics Inc. moderated the panel.
Association Chief Executive Officer Bryce Schumann wrapped up the conference program, revisiting highlights of the program and inviting conferees to participate in an evening at the Western Heritage Center and the following two days of tours.
Visit the Newsroom for more detailed summaries, PowerPoints and audios for the individual presentations, as well as photo galleries of the tour.
