A state of constant improvement — if there was a phrase to sum up the work the American Angus Association Board did this week and the updates they heard from staff, that would be it. This episode focuses on “core” updates to the National Cattle Evaluation, a discussion around parentage protocols and a rundown of the genetic tools for commercial cattlemen (and their timeline for release). There are notes from each of the entities and the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) board and an encouraging outlook for the year ahead. 

HOSTS: Mark McCully and Miranda Reiman 

GUESTS:  

Barry Pollard, Enid, Okla., currently serves as the chairman of the American Angus Association Board of Directors. He attended Oklahoma State University (OSU), followed by medical school and serving as neurosurgeon, performing than 18,000 surgeries prior to his retirement.

In addition to other agriculture business ventures, Pollard has built his Pollard Farms registered Angus operation to 400 Angus cows, selling around 150 bulls each year. 

Jerry Theis, Leavenworth, Kan., is a second-generation Angus breeder. His parents established April Valley Farms in 1952 in the Salt Creek Valley.

Theis graduated with his veterinary degree from Kansas State University in 1991, and still practices at a local clinic while he manages his family’s diversified operation. April Valley Farms was recognized as a Historic Angus Herd by the Association in 2019. Theis and his wife are active in the Kansas Angus Association, serving two terms as advisors for the National Junior Angus Association. 

Kelli Retallick-Riley, president of Angus Genetics Inc., leads her team of research geneticists and customer service specialists to provide the best genetic and genomic tools and resources to Angus breeders and users of Angus genetics.

Related reading: Find the full letter to membership following the meetings here. 

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