BRIEF HISTORY OF MICHIGAN ANGUS ASSOCIATION

The Michigan Angus Association was organized in 1914 with eight charter members. The late Sidney Smith, then with U.L. Clark at Hunters Creek was elected president and Alex Minty of Woodcote was elected secretary-treasurer. Annual membership dues were one dollar.

Very little record of association activities from that date until 1940 were preserved. Sidney Smith was president of the association for many years prior to 1949 when at his request and insistence, he was replaced by C.H. Reynolds. At that time a resolution was incorporated in the bylaws of the association that two consecutive one-year terms was the limit one person could serve as president. Since that date our state association presidents have been: 1950-51, Arthur Witham; 1952-53, John Kendall; 1954 Dr. J.J. Hendren; 1955 John Olsen; 1956-57, Robert W. Williams; 1958, Robert Bargar; 1959, Arthur Neilsen; 1960-61, Tom Crawford; 1962-63, W.L. Brittain; 1964-65, James H. Donahue.

An important function of our association has been the sponsorship of a field day program and picnic with a breeder volunteering as host. The first such event was an “open house” held at Wildwood Farms in 1941 after an association sale in East Lansing, but was not officially sponsored by the association. The first field day, as we know them today, was held at Raona Farms in 1947. No one volunteered in 1948 but since 1949, this has been an annual event. Hosts have been as follows: 1949, Hermel Farms, Milford; 1950, MSU, East Lansing; 1951, Raona Farms, Williamston; 1952, Grand River Stock Farms, Webberville; 1953, Witham Farms, Romeo; 1954, Great Oaks Stock Farm, Rochester; 1955, MSU, East Lansing; 1956, Newtondale Farms, Okemos; 1957, Holiday Farms, Ada; 1958, Spring River Farm, Burr Oak; 1959, MSU, East Lansing; 1960, Knobby Hills Farm, Clyde; 1961, Mahogany Farms, Williamston; 1962, Kitty Kurtis Farms Commercial Ranch, Harrison; 1963, Holiday Farms, Ada; 1964, Spring River Stock Farm, Burr Oak; 1965, Boutell Ranch, West Branch.

A few association sponsored consignment sales were held prior to 1925, but were discontinued with that year until 1940. Since their resumption, they have been an annual event. In 1945 and 1946 both a spring and fall sale were held. Some years the sale has been among the top consignment sales. They started being held at MSU, East Lansing, then the state fairgrounds in Detroit; then back to East Lansing; then to a private sale barn at Williamston, and now back to East Lansing. In 1958 we held the first futurity show and sale. This has been a very successful merchandising event for all breeders. The 1965 futurity was held during the biggest snowstorm of the century. It was the first time in history that Michigan State University closed classes.