During the second week of January, the Red Angus Association of America Board of Directors met in Denver for the annual January board meeting. The meeting opened with prayer and a reading of the Association's vision, mission and core policies.

This year’s agenda structure was intentionally structured differently than in past years. The schedule allowed time for department and committee updates, board discussion and questions, an industry presentation and a full day dedicated to strategic thinking and alignment between the executive team and the board of directors.

Below are key highlights from the meeting. The full set of minutes will be available soon in REDSPro. To access the minutes, log in to your REDSPro account and select "Association Business."

• November financials were reviewed, noting that RAAA maintains a strong balance sheet.
• The financial audit was completed and presented by Kevin Kimball, Adams Group, and will be reviewed by the Finance Committee later in January.
• RAAA’s longtime investment advisor retired at the end of December, and a new advisor has been assigned.
• The 2026 employee training theme will focus on an “Attitude of Service.”
• RAAA will update its Human Resources service agreement with the current outside provider.
• Legal counsel reviewed the bylaws and recommended implementing a new business practice of conducting a formal review every five years through committee.
• Genomic testing pricing was discussed but tabled until 30 days after Neogen announces the sale of its DNA division.
• The Board directed the Breed Improvement and Rules & Regulations Committees to collaborate on verbiage for potential new rules requiring genomic enhancement and defect bundle testing for AI sires and donor dams.
• The Board approved implementation of EPD blanking warning symbols and links in REDSPro.
• The Board approved establishing an EPD blanking threshold for MWT at 0.15 once MWT is released.
• The Board discussed the goal of continuing to evaluate current index models and other modeling options.
• Staff provided updates on ongoing packer and retail outreach efforts.
• The Board discussed post-convention survey feedback, including the potential return of the Awards Banquet. The Board agreed to bring it back with an RSVP-only option. Improved structure for committee updates and keynote speaker opportunities were also discussed to enhance member engagement.
• The Board approved a rule change requiring all cattle entered into the 2027 RAYE PGS Show to have, at minimum, a GGP-LD genomic panel completed and reflected in REDSPro prior to check-in.
• The Board approved the location for RAYE 2028 to return to Chickasha, Oklahoma.
  Premium advertiser rates in the Red Angus Magazine (RAM) were increased to $1,100. All premium pages will be auctioned off for a two-year commitment.
• The Reapportionment Committee met and recommended no changes to the current apportionment structure.
• Committee appointment recommendations were presented but were not yet finalized for approval. Appointments will be approved at the February Board meeting. Legal counsel also created a new NDA for volunteer committee members to sign.
• Following a full day of strategic discussions, the Board agreed to extend the current strategic plan by 2–3 years, as it remains relevant and there is still significant work to be completed.
• The June Board meeting will be held in Boise, Idaho, in conjunction with BIF.

If you have questions on any of these topics, please reach out to your area or regional board of director, Greg Ruehle, EVP, or Halla Ramsey, EDO.