Angus juniors have the opportunity to travel the country with the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA), and learn from knowledgeable personnel in the cattle business. Most recently, NJAA members met April 10-13 at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, to participate in a Raising the Bar conference.
Kendra Merriman, Lowell, representing the Michigan Junior Angus Association was among several Angus youth at the 2014 National Junior Angus Association Raising the Bar Officer Training. Photo by Jaclyn Uppermann, American Angus Association.
“The Raising the Bar conferences allow Angus juniors to interact outside of the showring and learn about more in-depth beef industry issues,” says Jaclyn Upperman, American Angus Association® director of junior activities. “These opportunities give them a chance to expand their knowledge outside of the everyday classroom.”
The conference hosted 31 Angus junior leaders, officers and advisors from 11 state junior Angus associations. Participants toured Texas Tech and area Angus operations, heard from industry experts, took part in leadership-training workshops and spent an evening bowling on campus.
The group also made stops at the historic Matador Ranch and the Ranching Heritage Museum, allowing participants to view several authentic exhibits depicting U.S. history of farming and ranching.
On the Texas Tech campus, juniors met with agricultural professor Sara Trojan about ruminant nutrition; Markus F. Miller on carcass and grade beef evaluation; Chance Brooks on sensory factors for consumer beef satisfaction; and Ryan Rathmann on using genetic tools for selection. Rathmann also gave an ultrasound demonstration.
Now in the seventh year, Raising the Bar conferences continue to foster the development of Angus youth by hosting events in four regions across the country. The NJAA, with sponsorship from the Angus Foundation, has conducted Raising the Bar conferences in cities such as Nashville, Tenn.; Ames, Iowa; Columbus, Ohio; and Stillwater, Okla. To learn more about how to participate in an upcoming Raising the Bar conference, visit njaa.info.
A complete list of the Raising the Bar participants at Texas Tech is listed below.
About the NJAA
The NJAA promotes the involvement of young people in raising Angus cattle, while also providing leadership and self-development opportunities for more than 6,000 active members nationwide.
ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS. Explore how the Angus breed impacts every sector of the cattle business – from the feedlot to the meatcase – during the 2014 Angus Means Business National Convention and Trade Show. Hosted by the American Angus Association, the event takes place Nov. 4-6 at the KCI Expo Center in Kansas City, Mo.
Participants will hear from top-flight speakers, conduct Association business, visit the trade show featuring allied industry partners and have the opportunity to attend the first-ever Angus University.
The American Angus Association is the nation’s largest beef breed organization, serving more than 25,000 members across the United States, Canada and several other countries.
For more information about Angus cattle and the 2014 convention, visit www.ANGUS.org.
Raising the Bar Participants:
Picture front row from left are Jena Wagner, National Junior Angus Board membership director; Michelle Keyes, Springfield, Neb.; Dylan Denny, Lubbock, Texas; Jordyn Wagner, Billings, Mont.; Aliesha Dethlefs, North Platte, Neb.; Emily Stovall, Corsicana, Texas; Lexi Stevenson, North Richland Hills, Texas; and Jacy Alsup, National Junior Angus Board chairman. Middle row from left are Lindsay Bowman, American Angus Association Youth Activities extended intern; Helena St. Clair, Berryville, Va.; Hannah Steph, Tatum, Texas; Morgan Alexander and Catie Hope, both of Berryville, Va.; Kendra Merriman, Lowell, Mich.; Shannon Tower, Copperopolis, Calif.; Katlyn Tunstill, Fayetteville, Ark.; and Lindsay Upperman, National Junior Angus Board director. Pictured back row from left are Tylee Williams, National Junior Angus Board director; Andrew Livingston, Nokomis, Ill.; Branden Henricks, Anadarko, Okla.; Corbin Cowles, Rockfield, Ky.; Evan Woodbury, Quenemo, Kan.; Derek Wolf, Windthorst, Texas; and Mark Alexander, Berryville, Va. Photo by Jaclyn Uppermann, American Angus Association.
