Red Angus juniors from across the country came together Jan. 8 - 9 for the 2015 Junior Red Angus Association (JRA) Young Stockman Program in Denver, Colo.
The 26 participants who attended the event enjoyed the Rocky Mountain air while becoming Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certified, touring local feedyards, and competing in a Beef Quiz Bowl.
“I think the Young Stockman Program is an excellent time to start the New Year off right spending quality time with JRA members while still learning about different aspects of the beef cattle industry,” said Rachel Davis, JRA President. “Everyone had a lot of fun while becoming better stockmen.”
The Young Stockman Program began with a tour at JBS/Five Rivers Cattle Kuner Feedyard in Kersey, Colo. The group then went on to listen to Lee Leachman of Leachman Cattle of Colorado, Wellington, Colo., and observed some of his Red Angus bulls that are on a feed intake trial at Colorado State University (CSU). The day winded down back at the hotel with a pizza party and guest speaker, Tom Odle, from Superior Livestock Auction. The participants ended the night with a friendly Beef Quiz Bowl.
The second day, attendees traveled to the Agricultural Research Development and Education Center (ARDEC) at CSU. Dr. Jason Ahola, CSU Department of Animal Sciences, led the group in BQA certification training. Participants completed four hands-on “stations” outside of the ARDEC that helped them gain their BQA certification. After lunch sponsored by Cross Diamond Cattle Co., Bertrand, Neb., a mock beef taste panel at CSU was enjoyed by all.
The day wrapped up with a review of the BQA guidelines, and a completion of the BQA certification program courtesy of Colorado BQA Program Coordinator, Katy Lippolis.
While in attendance, an award was given to an outstanding junior and outstanding senior JRA member. The 2015 Young Stockman Program outstanding junior was awarded to Alex Hildreth, Harvard, Ill. The outstanding Young Stockman Program senior was Josh of Albrecht, Oroville, Calif.
Participants in this year’s Young Stockman Program were: Anna Miller, Linden, Calif.; Royce McPhee-Bayha, Lodi, Calif.; Joshua Albrecht, Oroville, Calif.; Garett Postle and Sydney Postle, Mead, Colo.; Genna Van Wye, Atlanta, Ill.; Meghan Fitzgerald, Bloomington, Ill.; Ericka Hayes, Downs, Ill.; Alex Hildreth, Harvard, Ill.; Carson Goff, Hopedale, Ill.; Klair Hartzold, Stanford, Ill.; Kevin Tlach, Britt, Iowa; Madelyn Mushrush, Strong City, Kan.; Mackenzie Moldenhauer, Valley Center, Kan.; Jaclyn Ketchum, Plevna, Mont.; Morgan Rockwell, Aberdeen, N.C.; Austin Cameron, Carthage, N.C.; Shaye Koester, Steele, N.D.; Brock and Newt Hutchison, Canton, Okla,; John Nelson, Chickasha, Okla.; Anna and Abby Jeffrey, El Reno, Okla.; and Rachel Davis, Montpelier, Va.
For more information on the Young Stockman Program or other JRA events, visit www.RedAngus.org.
The Red Angus Association of America (RAAA) serves the beef industry by enhancing and promoting the competitive advantages of Red Angus and Red Angus-influenced cattle. The RAAA provides commercial producers with the most objectively described cattle in the industry by seeking and implementing new technologies based on sound scientific principles that measure traits of economic importance. For more information, visit www.RedAngus.org.
