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“I am Angus” was the theme for the
Annual Meeting of the American Angus Association. One hundred,
thirty five years ago, George Grant a Scottish businessman,
first introduced four imported Angus bulls to native longhorn
cattle on his ranch in Victoria Kansas. Ten years later the
American-Aberdeen Angus Breeders Association was formed and the
Angus breed was on its way to becoming the largest, most
recognized breed of cattle in the world.
The success of our breed didn’t
come overnight, but was a movement built upon a passion for
Angus cattle by the leaders and members of our association. Even
Grant couldn’t have foreseen the journey our breed would take
that would sweep the entire beef industry by storm. Angus Herd
Improvement Records, Angus Productions Inc., the Angus
Foundation, Angus Source have changed the way we look at
performance programs, communication, research, youth and
education and well as commercial programs. Certified Angus Beef
which is celebrating its 30th year in 2008 has changed the way
consumers view Angus.
A different Grant, Eric Grant
gave the members of the American Angus Association his view of
125 years of history in a documentary entitled “I Am Angus”. In
this production, Grant illustrated every day people; whether
ranchers in Kansas or Montana or a family owned New York City
grocery store. Even though the lives of the people are quite
different, the one tie they all have is Angus. Eric pointed to
the human aspect of our breed, its members and all those who
rely on Angus are what make it great. Collectively, the dreams,
aspirations and passions of our members have made Angus
something bigger than the breed would be by itself. Angus is not
just a breed, it’s a way of life.
Fiscal Year 2008 was
indisputably a successful year. The numbers speak for
themselves, with 336,766 head registered, 113,161 enrolled in
Angus Source, Angus Foundation received a record $1,983,117 in
gross revenue and Certified Angus Beef sold 634 million pounds.
Two significant milestones
marked momentous events in Angus history in 2008. One highlight
was the selection of Bryce Schumann as chief executive officer
of the American Angus Association. Schumann is only the eleventh
chief executive to serve the association. The other landmark was
the discovery of Arthrogryposis Multiplex (curly calf syndrome).
Thanks to the tremendous efforts of Dr. Jon Beaver of the
University of Illinois, the Staff of the American Angus
Association and the many members of our association who reported
affected calves, a rapid conclusion was brought to this
sensitive issue. What could have been the darkest times in our
industry has turned out to be a model of how a breed association
should handle such a challenge with transparency.
Eight short weeks after the
first report to our members, Dr. Beaver developed a DNA test to
determine AM carriers. Commercial labs will soon be available
for members to test possible carrier cattle. Stay up to date on
AM as well as other actions at your association by going to
www.angus.org
Through trials and triumphs, the
Angus breed has proven its dedication and commitment to the
betterment of the beef industry. From its humble beginning of
four Angus bulls on the prairie in Victoria Kansas, Angus has
taken root in the pastures and the households across the globe.
What once was an obscure breed has now become a household name.
Proudly stand up as the producers and processors of Angus
genetics and testify, “I am Angus”.
Rob Thomas
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