An Aussie's Perspective

An Aussie's Perspective

Hayden Morrow, Australian Shorthorn Ambassador  

Well it is safe to say that my first month in America has been a hectic, interesting and awesome experience. So far I have touched down in 8 states.  So thank you to everybody involved in making the Australia / America shorthorn exchange program happen. The friends I've already made and the amazing hospitality of all my hosts has made me feel very welcome.

After a 4 hour drive to Sydney, 3 flights and a total of 17.5 hours in the skies I finally arrived in Denver. Keeping in mind that was the first time I had ever been on a plane I was a little bit weary. I met Derek Jungels and the rest of the JSF crew who quickly introduced me to the American way of life. It was awesome to see the scale and dedication shown by exhibitors at the Denver National Western. While the direction some cattle had taken was shocking (club calves) it was also very interesting to see how lucrative the show industry had become. The Pen Shows ability to align with commercial realty was refreshing and something I really enjoyed.

From Denver I met with the Lane family and departed through Kansas to Jay Oklahoma. The Lanes program aims to produce a moderate cow that excels at calving time. I was able to see some local cattle enterprises, visit a sale barn and spend a day with veterinarian Dr Richard McCarver.  They also took me gigging, and I was lucky enough to catch a sucker.

My next destination was Dr Jim and Beverly Freed’s Double J and Jeppetta cattle company herd. They run around 100 shorthorn cows on various properties throughout the Chickasha area. Some impressive cattle were present including sire Waukaru Thor 3063. I was also lucky enough to watch the Thunder beat the Timberwolves at nearby Oklahoma City before heading to Turkey Feather Ranch in Ada. From there I travelled with them to Fort Worth for the stock show and met up with WHR shorthorns. An impressive group of shorthorn females at Fort Worth made the judging interesting.

Montie Soules then picked me up from Fort Worth and we travelled south to NCBA in San Antonio. From cattle I have seen at shows in America I have become concerned the shorthorn breeds success as show cattle, is shifting attention away from the fundamentals of producing high quality beef efficiently. Spending time with the ASA staff and board members instilled confidence back into me as it is clear positive changes are occurring to ensure shorthorn cattle remain sought after by commercial cattlemen. The progression of multi-breed EPDs I think is a very important step towards competing commercially as a breed but also as an industry against other animal based protein products. By combining data from objective measurement into a single large database from all breeds the value of EPDs as a selection tool will inevitably be much greater. Shorthorn’s involvement in this is very exciting.

Thank you again and I look forward to meeting many more shorthorn and beef enthusiasts as I travel across North America during the next 6 months.

From the Road: Wyoming to Missouri

Last week, Jake traveled to both Wyoming and Missouri State Fairs for the Shorthorn PACE Shows.

This was the first year for Wyoming to host an invitational PACE show and we were glad to have them on the schedule!

Wyoming State Fair Results:

Judge: Jim McDougald

Grand Champion Bull – LC Gold Label 184, shown by Greg Cardey, Merced, CA

Reserve Champion Bull – JT Gold Label 589, shown by JT Ranch, Oakdale, CA

Grand Champion Female – JT Betty Angel 259, shown by JT Ranch

Reserve Champion Female – PLC Kiss This 212 GS, shown by Ty Shockley, Wheatland, WY

Missouri State Fair Results:

Judge: Jared Boyert

Grand Champion Bull – HC Marksman 252, shown by Hugh Moore, Jr. & Sons, Jerseyville, IL

Reserve Champion Bull – MM Corrupt 10312, shown by Hugh Moore, Jr. & Sons

Grand Champion Female – 3D Augusta Pride 3127A ET, shown by Sarah Moore, Jerseyville, IL

Reserve Champion Female – AF Revival 1301, shown by Robert Alden, Hamilton, MO

The Missouri State Fair Shorthorn Show was dedicated to the Bertz Family of Missouri. They were recognized at the show.


Snapshots from the show!



The Bertz Family gathers for a photo at the Missouri State Fair
backdrop.

Patrick will be making his way to the Kentucky State Fair later this week, so keep watch for results from that show as well as the West Virginia State Fair that took place this past week!


Full results will be published in an upcoming issue of the Shorthorn Country magazine!
For a schedule of current PACE shows, please click here.

From the Road: PACE and Picnics

Members of the ASA staff have been burning up the highways and the skyways lately traveling to events, but we’re just getting warmed up!

In July, the California State Fair kicked off the PACE Show season, with a good turnout as usual! ASA Field Representative Jake Alden was on hand for the event.

California State Fair Show Results:

Champion Bull - GSC Sonny 183, Greg Cardey, Merced, CA.

Reserve Champion Bull - LC Gold Label 44, Don Cardey, Turlock, CA.

Champion Female - JT Betty Angel 259, JT Ranch, Oakdale, CA.

Reserve Champion Female - LBB One Red Rose 294, Bennett Land & Cattle, Ducor, CA.

Twig Marston evalutes the Champion Bull lineup at the
California State Fair PACE Show.

If you’re not sure what we’re referring to when we say “PACE”, it is a Shorthorn show that is a point accumulation event. Shorthorn exhibitors accumulate points throughout the year based on their winnings and the show and number of animals exhibited. The points accumulated give animals the opportunity for an All-American distinction. To learn more about the PACE process, click here.

 

I (Audrey) went to Indiana State Fair just this last week for the Area 5 PACE Show. (Since I’m writing this post, I get to provide commentary for my travels!)

It was a great show and I had never been to the Indiana State Fair! The shows had been moved into the new “Youth Arena” since the coliseum is currently under renovation – so a change for everyone. A majority of the budget for renovations to the coliseum are being spent on interior changes in efforts to maintain the iconic look of the outside of the building. Fair-goers could tour the renovation and I must say it will be quite the deal when it’s all said and done – hopefully in summer 2014.

 

I also enjoyed getting suggestions on what I needed to see before I left the fair and just as importantly - what I needed eat! (Can't leave without trying some fair food!)

Indiana State Fair Show Results:

Champion Bull - BPCC Boondock Saint 1206, Beck Powell Cattle Co., Linton, IN.

Reserve Champion Bull - DRAG Bo's Boy Wonder, shown by Allison Dragstrem, Amboy, IN.

Champion Female - CF No Foolin 25 ET, shown by Adrianne Trennepohl, Middletown, IN.

Reserve Champion Female - CF Mattis Rose 284 SOL ET, shown by Xavier Ferris, Whiteland, IN.

 

Some snaphshots from the Indiana State Fair!

This past weekend Montie Soules, Executive Secretary/CEO of the ASA, attended the Ohio Shorthorn Breeder’s Association picnic held at Turner Shorthorns in Somerset, OH. Montie had nothing but good things to say about the event held on Sunday. The turnout was fantastic with approximately 125-140 people in attendance and a few of those included new people interested in Shorthorns! Montie and the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association spoke to the group and all enjoyed a potluck dinner.

Those in attendance at the Ohio Shorthorn Summer Picnic.
What a group!

This week doesn’t slow down one bit as Jake is off to both Wyoming and Missouri State Fair PACE Shows. This is the first year for Wyoming to be on the PACE rotation and we are excited to have them!

Patrick, ASA Field Rep, will be off to the Kentucky State Fair PACE Show the following week, so make sure to look him up if you’re in attendance!

Look for updates on Facebook and Twitter as we update you on more events From the Road.

For full show reports, watch an upcoming issue of the Shorthorn Country magazine!